WBM

  Chapter Eight

  Wolf Man

  ~SV~

  Half Moon Bay, after 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Sidonia’s dream-vision of the Lake Bled Clan’s Warg continues, this happened five hours ago, at sundown. Dietrich tells the camp, “Trek needs his arm looked at, do not untie him! I do not want anyone in there alone with him either.” Erik adds, “He is wild and likely contagious, even rabid.” Trina comes to them, asking, “What happened?” Erik fumes, “The Warg Wolf bit Trek, his arm is oozing. He is acting crazy, foaming at the mouth.” Bert runs over.

  Trina says, “I will be the only one to risk examining him.” She touches his forehead, “He has a slight fever.” Trina pulls at the bandage. Suddenly, she backs away out of the cell, ordering, “Bolt it!” Dietrich asks, “Why?” Eric bolts it, asking, “Now what?” Trina says, “He is healed.” Eric groans, “Whoa!” Dietrich scoffs, “How, it was a deep bite?” Trina says, “I believe he turned. We will wait to see if he is a Warg, I fear he has no choice, since a Warg bit him.”

  Bert offers, “I will kill him!” Trina says, “No. We will handle it. Go to your wagon.” Bert resentfully hangs around. Trina turns to Erik and Dietrich, “He must be guarded every minute! Do not open the door! He might try to break out.” Erik groans, “If he tries, we need to kill him before he gets at the clan or runs away.” Saddened, Trina nods, “Yes.” Dietrich asks, “What if he acts fine?” Trina groans, “We will wait for Xiko to decide what Trek’s fate will be.”

  Trina sighs, “I hope Trek wakes and is coherent.” Sara, Trek’s daughter, limps over in tears, looking in. Sara accuses, “Why did you bind him?” Bert smirks, “He is a dirty Warg!” Trina glares at Bert, putting an arm around Sara, “Come, I will explain it.”

  ~*~

  Warlock Camp, Witch-Fights, after 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Crimson watches for the Rambler shift to finish so he knows he has control. Rorik gives another excuse, “Still, my shift is not supposed to happen until tomorrow night.” The Goth laughs, “You must be new, tonight is the first of the three nights of the Full Moon.” The Prince groans, “Oh, I lost track, and my eyesight is off. I thought, since my Rambler’s Amulet has magical properties, they would disqualify me for wearing it.” Crimson gives a cold chuckle, “You should have just asked instead of risking my life and yours.”

  Prince Rorik Tricker grumbles, “Sorry.” Crimson frowns, “Rambler, your change is still stalled, are you shifting back?” Rorik shrugs. Crimson states, “If you cannot keep from transforming, I will help you into the forest and leave you there.” Rorik groans, “Give me a moment. I did not know fighting could cause me to shift. I did not even feel it coming.” The Goth smirks, “I am sure they warned you of drinking too. Did you hear the Master of the Fights?”

  Rorik shrugs, Crimson glares, “He gave me permission to kill you! Luckily for you, I chose to help you instead.” Shaking his head, Rorik gasps, looking up, “Why did you help me?” Crimson laughs, “You think all Goths do is kill? That is like me thinking you Hex without any reason.” Rorik shrugs, “Never met a Goth, until now.” Crimson says, “I do not seek other’s blood unless they earn it. I just like to fight. Besides, I do not need your clan Hexing me, either.”

  With real feeling Rorik says, “Thank you for not killing me. I appreciate you helping me instead.” His breathing is calmer. Finally, his black fur is gone, Rorik says with relief, “I feel in control of my Wolf, now.” The Goth supports Rorik and walks him to the barrier. The Ringmaster looks him over before letting the dome down.

  ~*~

  Burial Ground, after 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Lola wakes to her current confinement, knowing it is not right. Gaining control, she tries again to pass through it and fails. A low toned female asks, “Did you see, the vile little Witch Shade is too weak to leave?” A high-pitched girl replies, “Good, make certain she enjoys her time in our Purgatory. Let us see how Lola likes the tortures of this prison trap!” Their claws rip at her, draining her essence. Weak, she cannot escape them nor fight back.

  Frightened, Lola screams out, “Kolo!” No one answers. However, a new clarity comes, and with it is the horror that she is possibly imprisoned in Nifl. However, Lola cannot recall being sentenced by Grandess Purgatory. The ghosts’ voices stop and the silence seems worse to Lola. Thankfully, the clawing stops as well. Lola calls out, “Kolo, where are you?” It causes a strange sound, helping her to realize just how small the area is.

  ~*~

  Dark Elf Desert Castle, after 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  When they take a break, Anthony becomes mist and follows Vanna, concerned for her welfare. King Bailey walks near her until he assumes they are out of others’ hearing. He grabs her arm with his boney fingers, roughly pulling his wife to a stop. Vanna will not look at him. He scoffs, “You are unwilling to give me my due?” Her eyes now come to his. He gasps at the loathing in them, and tries to convince himself he is misreading her feelings.

  Bailey rushes to get his wife to admit, “Clearly, my ploy has worked!” Vanna’s expression is even darker, causing his hand to drop away from her. Queen Vanna hisses at him, “Are you really going to claim a win?” Giving her a blank look, his wife harshly questions, “How can you think our son being imprisoned for a decade is a victory of any kind? Did you even wonder why he changed his mind?” He is shaken, “It is certainly better than death!”

  Bailey gets his smug tone back, “Do you not see that it means Haldir has backed down?” Bailey’s superior look returns, as he speaks down to her as though she is a child overreacting, “By taking the death-sentence off the table, it means we can keep working on him, and get Alrod out of doing any time. Trust me, it will all be fine.” Vanna remains unconvinced as she shakes her head, “Nothing about any of this is going to be fine!”

  Mimicking his grin, Vanna uses his tone, as if he were dense, “And while I should be willing to tell you, what I know, of why Haldir has changed his mind on killing our son, I will not! It seems unimportant to inform you, husband, of this dark turn of events. Since you caused all of this and are not capable of admitting, seeing the danger, nor fixing any of it! You are only making it worse, and are not even humbled. How do you manage to be so clueless?”

  Vanna finishes, “How does it feel, to know your partner refuses to tell you of a new plot? I assume you are confused; let me explain. I am acting the way you treat me. I see I was successful, imitating you exactly, as now you look hurt and displeased. It is my turn to not care how you feel. Clearly, I failed when I intended to marry an honest, respectful mate, with intelligence. I deserve better!” Vanna marches off, leaving him bewildered and afraid.

  If it were not so tragic, Anthony might have laughed. He follows her, needing to find out what she knows.

  ~*~

  Holy Innocents Graveyard, after 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Fearful, Kolo sobs, “Lola, I had no idea the spell would send you here. Sister, I am hurrying to get you out!” Kolo pleads with his men, “Dig faster! Lola had nightmares after the first time and this will be even more horrid! It must be very terrifying for her! I will never hear the end of it! Hurry!” Finally, their shovels hit the wood of a coffin, and they clear it off. The size of it surprises the men, as they easily stand around it in the larger dark hole.

  They dug the grave big enough for a woman-sized casket. Richard looks to the headstone; the date confirms Lola was a child. The Evil One demands, “Well, do not just stand there, pry that crappy coffin open!” Raising the lid, he calls, “Lola? We will punish the Witches when we get back.” They see the bones of a child. Kolo recognizes her rotted light blue clothing, yet sees no navy mist, he shouts in disbelief, “Lola!” The Blood Moon casts a wicked glow.

  It is eerily silent, as Kolo comes closer, nearly falling in the hole, as the ground gives way. Stumbling back, he calls, “Lola, come to me!” A breeze now whistles in the trees. Kolo shouts in a tearful tone, “Lola, is that you, I do not see you?” An owl hoots as it flies towards them. He calls, “Lola, are you here?” A fox cries, it terrifies them all. Fighting his fears, Kolo yells, “Lola where the Nifl are you?” Tad asks, “Where is she?” Kolo glares, “Do you even listen?”

  He shouts, “How the Dark should I know?” Richard rereads her headstone and nearly laughs, he decides Kolo and his sister’s last name seem far too pleasant to belong to either of them. Richard nudges Luke, nodding at the headstone. Seeing, Luke snickers, “Her name should be… Lola Evil-broom, tortured by Lilith’s Demons, as she does her time in the Dark Realm.” Frowning at the gravestone, it takes a bit for Tad to make out the words, as he mumbles it aloud,

  Lola Brightly

  Taken before her time

  Mourned by her Mother

  She rests with the Angels

  645-654

  Richard smirks, “Lola Darkly, deceased, but haunting and tormenting us still.” Tad points at the headstone as he asks Kolo, “Are you certain this is her grave?” Kolo hisses, “Yes idiot, we took our step-father’s last name. Believe it or not, I have known her name as long as I have known my own. Do you really assume there could be more than one grave with her headstone? I said I recognized it.” Kolo is dismayed that Lola is not here and what that means.

  He fights back tears, then hears Luke whisper to the others, “Maybe we should find the angels she is resting with.” They snicker. It is enough to stop Kolo’s tears, as he feels tempted to kill them all. Regrettably, he still needs them. Hitting them with his canes, Kolo fumes “You dare mock my sister?” He sneers, “One more word and you will be dead, in that hole, next to her bones!” Luke and Tad are silent, as Richard offers, “Sorry sir. Where do we go next?”

  Kolo moans, “There are two other places to look. But I dread… going to the next one!” Richard, Luke, and Tad, look to each other getting a chill at what sort of place would cause Kolo dread. It gives them a foreboding. Kolo tells Richard, “Take me to the coach. You two can fill the grave.” They climb out, Richard lifts Kolo, carrying him, as Tad and Luke start shoveling the dirt back in. All three are worrying about where their Master will take them.

  And what he will require of them once they get there.

  ~*~

  Wink comes to Xiko, saying, “We are exhausted, hungry, and vote to go back to camp for the night. We fear for the safety of our families, too.” Wirf shouts, “We must kill the Warg first!” Wink scoffs, “We have not heard his side yet, or saw that he is a Warg, and do not know that he killed Grigori.” Several of the other men nod in agreement, until Xiko states, “Trina’s vision showed Krist murdering Grigori and that he became a Warg. Do you doubt her? He bit Trek!”

  Wirf fumes, “Trek saw the black coming from his eyes! Krist is scum, he cheated on my sister, Mercia. And Trina’s word is good enough for me!” Ashamed for questioning Trina; it is still hard for them to kill a clansman. Wirf urges, “I sense the Warg is near!” Xiko softly urges Wirf, “The sun is down. Do not let anger put others and us at risk. We will start again when light.” Reluctant to go, Wirf looks into the dark shadows, fearing the Warg is there waiting.

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  He expects Krist is just looking for an opportunity to kill them. Some of the men do not wait, as they walk off toward their families and camp. Finally, Wirf realizes he does not want to hunt him alone. He nods to Xiko, “Alright. Can we start at first light?” Xiko nods, Wink says bitterly, “Well, one good thing about him taking us in circles, at least we will not have a long walk back to the fire.” Others chuckle in agreement, their amusement irritates Wirf.

  Xiko looks up, whispering to Wirf, “It is a Wolf Blood Moon, and a dark omen for us. I sense the Warg Wolf is following us, too.” Nodding, Wirf sighs, “I thought I was just being paranoid.” A short distance from them in the dark shadows, the Warg Wolf is listening to his former clansmen. Krist licks his lips at the idea of causing them more fear and pain, not wanting it to end quickly.

  ~*~

  Country Inn, Grekan’s dream of Skull Island, 677, 29th, October

  Grimly, Sidonia says, “The Giants fought with Father against their own, for freedom. Before that, the island did not have residents, other than the Goths. Some tried to live there and claimed that at night, they still heard the ghostly screams of the Giants. It scared everyone off Skull Island spreading to all that it is haunted.”

  She adds, “It was just one of the three tragedies to plague this Island, prior to the war. It fulfilled the prophecy.” Tik scoffs, “What prophecy?” She quotes, “It is written, ‘The evil and bloodshed done here will open the first of three seals.’ It is why this island was then forbidden to live on, trying to prevent the next two seals from being broken, causing the curse of the Demon War to be fulfilled.”

  ~*~

  Richard walks towards the coach asking, “Master, where are we heading?” Kolo reluctantly says, “I need to see if Lola is where she died.” Richard wants to escape, asking with hope, “We go to Blackstone Castle to look for her there?” Kolo scoffs, “No, her Human death. If I do not find her there, I will torture the location from my witches first. I will be certain, before taking that long of a drive and risk, to see if Lola stayed where the sword ended her.”

  The Evil One has an idea and chuckles darkly at everyone’s horror as word spreads. Excited, Kolo says, “I changed my mind! Tell them to bring the coffin and I prefer the fear it will cause… so they are to leave her grave open.” Richard stops, Kolo finally feels more like himself. As Richard turns around, gleefully Kolo adds, “What lovely rumors it will cause. Delightful torments for those who deserve to recall her devilish deeds! It shall stir up more terrors.”

  Confident, Kolo gloats, “For all who should remember.” Walking back, Richard cringes as Kolo sinisterly giggles, “They will scream, ‘Lola has risen from the grave.’ Imagine their fresh horror! They shall back away from her gravesite in dread!” Richard yells to Luke and Tad, “Stop. Get Lola’s casket out.” Tad shouts, “What?” Richard says, “Bring the coffin, and Master Kolo says to leave the grave open!” Luke yells, “Are you serious, someone will fall in?”

  They shiver with horror until Luke realizes, “It is less work; and we get to leave now!” Tad grins jumping in the grave pushing the coffin up, Luke pulls the casket from the grave. Richard turns to continue carrying his master to the coach. With an evil laugh Kolo explains, “If there ever is a next time, I want Lola’s grim bones nearby. So I can get to her quickly without digging, or a painfully long coach ride and walk through a graveyard after midnight!”

  ~*~

  The Volcano’s ash in the air causes a red sun that is sinking behind the mountain. Growling, Trek wakes. Erik asks, “Can I get you a drink?” Trek snarls at him, not speaking, as he struggles against his bonds. As the Full Blood Moon rises over the peak, Trina gasps, “Look, Trek has a yellow mist forming around him; first sign and it confirms he is a shapeshifter.” Trek tosses himself off the bed. The elderly man is kneeling, with his arms still bound at his sides.

  Trek fights to stand, and he runs at the wall, nearly knocking himself out, falling back to the floor and then does it again. Trina yells, “Women and Children, go to your wagons! Men grab your weapons.” Trek’s hair grows, his fingers and arms lengthen. The old man’s ears grow points, and his eyes become wolf-like. As Trek growls, they can see that he has fangs. His body has stayed nearly the same. He kicks off his boots, as his feet grow clawed toenails.

  Bert says repeatedly, “Let me at him. I want to kill him!” Erik yells over Bert, “Trek is not like a wolf, or even like Krist. He is staying on two legs, more human. I can only describe the look as a ‘Wolf Man’!” Eric tells Bert, “Leave.” Dietrich looks, “Yip, he is hairier, it is not a wolf’s or animal’s fur!” Trina says, “A Warg bite, and turning on a Full Wolf Blood Moon, tis a bad omen! Give me your sword.” Erik pulls his sword to go in. Trina blocks the door.

  She states, “I do not want you to be cursed by his death.” Erik dares not let the elderly woman try, saying, “I cannot risk you.” Growling, Trek breaks out of his bindings, he leaps at the door snarling at them through the bars. Trina gasps, “It is too dangerous now!” Bert runs for the door, “I am not afraid to kill him!” He pushes Trina out of his way, she falls, Eric catches her. Dietrich knocks Bert to the ground, yelling, “You disrespectful brat!”

  ~*~

  Glad’s Property, after 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Kolo directs Turley to Glad’s property; he is bitter and unsurprised that he has not forgotten his way there. Richard lifts Kolo out, Turley guards the coach, as Kolo says, “Bring the rope.” The men untie it from the coffin they had secured to the roof. Kolo points directing them to a footpath along the edge of the once large farm. He starts whistling Lola’s Song, in a slow creepy way. Cringing, Luke says, “Odd. It seems like it is abandoned.”

  Tad asks, “What happened to the people who lived here?” Angrily, Kolo smirks, “What should happen, when they do not care that children were pushed into their Well, and left there for dead? The Glads refused to let a search group on their property. By the time Mum forced her way to us, Lola was dead.” Darkly, Kolo smirks, “Mother made certain the Glads were never, glad again!” His three men shiver, yet do not dare to ask what she did to them.

  Shaking his head, Luke comments, “It is a big property, I am surprised no one bought the place.” When they come into view of what was left of the grand home and outbuildings; they gasp. All were burnt, leaving only the shell of the haunted charred structures, enough to know what had been there. Once past it, they see the bones. Numerous cattle bones litter the pasture; Tad is so stunned that he trips; getting up, he whispers, “This whole place is creepy.”

  Richard says, “I would be more surprised if someone did dare to buy it.” Tad nods, “I would not live here, even if someone paid me!” Luke agrees, “The only foliage is off their land. It is more frightening than the grim graveyard!” Richard groans, “I have a bad feeling about this place!” Kolo chuckles, “All believe that Lola still haunts Glad’s Farm.” Tad groans, “I do not blame them.” Luke scoffs, “Fools.” Kolo sneers, “You think so? Speak to the seven.”

  Luke asks, “Who are the seven?” Kolo smirks, “The seven families of the children who died, in very dark ways.” Tad’s face goes pale, “Lola killed them?” Kolo nods, “You have met Lola?” Tad gasps, “Yes. I just never suspected she would harm innocent kids.” Kolo smirks, “Did you think she was just born hateful?”

  Tad shrugs, “I guess I did; I had no reason to think of when and why she died, nor what caused her anger.” Kolo scoffs, “The seven did!” The Evil One sneers, “None of the seven little demons were innocent! They sure as the grave earned it, killing her first and nearly killed me too! All because they were jealous of Lola’s new magic! Kolo tells them, “It took Lola a year of haunting them before she was capable of doing them harm. Lola then killed them, one by one, and even sang her song to them as she did it.” Richard says, “I hesitate to agree, but it sounds like they earned her anger.”

  Luke asks, “What is with all the bones?” Tad agrees, “Why did no one save the cattle?” Kolo grins, “Imagine the scent of dead animals. Part of Mother’s grim doings, revenge for Lola’s murder.”

  ~*~

  As the Lake Bled Clansmen arrive in camp the others go to their loved ones. Xiko frowns, noticing the camp is empty other than armed men, then sees Trina waving to him. Wink sees Bert is getting into Dietrich’s face, “I want to kill Trek, since you are chicken!” Wink grabs Bert, “It is not your place to kill anyone!” Xiko looks in seeing Trek is part wolf, and snarling. He has wolf ears, eyes, and claws, as he rams the walls. Erik warns, “It will not hold for long.”

  Xiko groans, “He still has the frame of a man, as if the bite has tainted his Blood Curse.” Trina nods, “I do not know how or why. I have not heard of a Warg transferring his curse on anyone, with a bite.” Eric admits, “Krist is the first Warg I know of.” Xiko nods, “This is my first warg, and wolfman.” Trina sighs, “Maybe it has always been this way, which is why we are told to hunt them.” Xiko goes to Trek’s elderly daughter and kneels before her.

  Solemnly he asks, “Sara, I need to put your father out of his misery. I believe he does not want this, nor to be responsible for killing or turning anyone else.” Sara nods, “Please make it as painless as possible.” Xiko offers, “I can use an arrow rather than a sword, if you prefer.” Sara says, “I do, thank you.” Xiko goes to the cell and shoots an arrow through the bars of the door. It is fortunately quick and he manages to hit his mark with his first shot.

  His aim hits Trek’s heart, and the Wolfman falls to the ground dead. Xiko bows his head saying goodbye,

  In your youth you enjoyed energy.

  Adulthood blessed you with love.

  When aged you shared your wisdom.

  May your life that you lived well,

  Bring you much happiness after death.

  Suddenly, Xiko looks up to see Trek’s Shade come away from his body. They nod to each other, then Xiko walks back to Trek’s daughter, and says, “It is done. Your father is at peace.” Softly, Sara cries, “Are you sure?” Xiko nods, “I saw his Shade leave his body. Trek even smiled at me. As he went into his Death Door, I felt he appreciated your choice of how he died.”

  Xiko adds, “Trek is glad it was him and not one of us, who Krist bit.” Sara throws her arms around him and sobs. He holds her, knowing this is always going to be the hardest part of being the leader of any clan. He goes to help Trina, with great sorrow.

  ~*~

  Grekan’s nightmare of Skull Island, after 1 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Sidonia whispers, “Druids were the second to make Skull Island their home. Regrettably, hearing of the prophecy they hoped to open the gate and rule the Demons, making them their slaves. This Dark Druid Clan was a breakaway cauldron, uneducated in the need to find a mate outside your group, to avoid inbreeding that causes shorter life spans. They thought it made them stronger. Inbreeding caused birth defects and mental deficiency; they blamed outsiders.”

  She adds, “It also caused their powers to be weaker with each generation. They came up with a Blood Ritual Spell to gain power. It allows them to gain the magic of those they sentenced as they put the criminal to death on a darkly spelled altar. The ruin is there, partially covered in mist. You can see the temple they built on that hill. It is named Dark Rainbow, due to the black stone having a rainbow of colored specks, and the stone temple is built in arches.”

  Grekan looks to the west, gasping, “I think I can see it.” The dark princess adds, “The ruins of the temple overlook the Death Arena from the Demon War.” He asks, “You have been to the temple?” The dark girl’s memories give her a grin, “I often played there as a child. From the temple’s ruins you can see the Harrowing Village, Dread Forest, and even some of Dread Passing on a clear day. It is above the Hot Springs down by Shark Teeth Bay.”

  ~*~

  Trina warns Xiko, “This is not just a Blood Moon; it has a dark energy. It is a deadly omen. These two are not the only deaths we will incur. I noticed even the sun was red today. I did a vision to learn why. I saw Mount Vesuvius’s Volcano is erupting, throwing ash in the sky, to the south of us, near the sea.” Xiko nods, “I noticed the night sky was dark.” She sighs, “Yes, it is blocking the stars. I believe the red sun and moon will last for a few days and nights.”

  Xiko asks, “I will post more guards tonight and hope that Kristopher’s death is the only one you sensed.” She nods, “Wise.” He asks her now, “Are you ready for me to prepare Grigori?” He is surprised when she shakes her head, saying, “Wait, please. I will say when.” He stands quietly. Trina whispers words of love to her devoted husband. Xiko steps back to a corner, feeling a bit uncomfortable as she makes it seem like she is taking him to bed.

  Trina weeps and kisses him, smiling, “I now undress you for the last time my love.” Slowly opening his shirt, her sob chokes out, as she goes on, lovingly, with a hint of vengeance,

  “I miss you more than if he had taken,

  my right arm that I hugged you with.

  If he had cut off my right hand,

  that felt so loved, as I was led by yours.

  If he had stabbed my right eye,

  that cherished seeing you smile at me.

  If he had severed my right leg,

  which your hand rested on, when you sat beside me.”

  Trina kisses him, “I say goodbye my love, thank you for bringing out the best in me, and I love you for it.” Xiko feels tears flowing down his face. Trina sits and says, “I cannot lift him to do the rest, please help me.” Sitting him up, Xiko is careful not to yank any of his clothing off. His movements are slow, having a somber manner to them, so he is giving his leader the respect he is due.

  She brings the bowl of water. Xiko offers, “Shall I wash him for you.” Setting it down, Trina sobs, “No, thank you. This is my way of showing him devotion, touching him this way for the last time. I will not give it to another who cannot share what I will, nor give me this memory later. I still need this last act of being with him.” Xiko asks, “Do you prefer I leave or turn away?” She smiles, “Only if you are uncomfortable.” Trina starts with his face.

  Trina then washes his head and chest. Xiko rolls him so she can wash his back. He is humbled as he watches Trina prepare her husband, and talks to him of their long and happy life that she is so glad to have shared with him. It impresses Xiko, and he appreciates the opportunity, feeling honored to see her great love and respect for her husband. She ends with his feet. Trina sets his fresh clothing near him, asking, “Now, if you will help me?” He comes to sit Grigori up.

  He helps as they clothe and dress him in his burial outfit. Too often, Xiko has witnessed a coldness between couples, as they take each other for granted. To see that Trina’s admiration is lasting, touches Xiko more than he expected, and brings moisture to his eyes. As she combs his hair and beard, Xiko realizes this is what he longs for. A lasting love that has him and his wife showing their affection often; also cherishing each other until death.

  Even on into their next lives in the other realms.

  ~WBM~