The wolf perked up, still lying on its belly, it pulled itself forward a couple of inches as it held its head high.
“Are you ready to go home now? You certainly look better than last night,” Aubreigne said, throwing the covers back and slipping her feet into her slippers before reaching for her robe. She reached for a thin strip of leather and used it to pull her long, black hair from her face, tied it and secured it at the back of her head. “Come along, then. Let’s see you on your way.”
Aubreigne walked into the living room of her home, then toward the door. She waited while the wolf drank some of his water, then when he looked at her, she opened the front door for him. He walked over to the door and slipped outside.
“Farewell, Mr. Wolf. If ever you need again, come back to visit me,” Aubreigne said, closing the door behind him. She sighed as she thought about taking care of him the night before, and waking to him lying beside her bed this morning. She liked the feeling of having him near. “Maybe I will find a pet,” she said to herself, as she began cooking a piece of ham for her breakfast. She cracked an egg in the pan beside the ham, and tore a piece of bread from the loaf she’d made a few days earlier. She started water for the tea she craved this morning and then paused at a scratching sound.
She canted her head as she listened closely. “No, can’t be,” she said, as she hurried to the door. She opened the door and smiled. “I thought you went home,” she said to the wolf waiting on her stoop.
The wolf looked up at her and got to his feet, using his head to push the door the rest of the way open. He walked back inside and over to his dish. He sat down and looked over at her, clearly waiting for breakfast.
Aubreigne laughed. “Alright. I understand,” she said, still chuckling. She closed the door and went back into the kitchen, cutting off a larger piece of ham, and cracking two more eggs into her skillet. Once her eggs and ham were done, she took them out of the skillet and put them on a plate. Then she tore up the bread she’d taken out for the wolf and tore it into pieces before stirring it around with the eggs and ham still cooking. Once it was done, she carried it over to the plate she’d left on the floor for the wolf the night before and scooped it out onto the plate. It was a lot of food, and almost didn’t fit.
Aubreigne picked up the plate with one hand while still holding the cooking pan in the other. She blew on the food a few times before putting it back down on the floor. “Here you go. It’s hot, so be careful.”
She smiled as she walked away and the wolf began to eat. “If you’re going to stay around here for long, I’m going to have to see about working out a trade with someone for more food. At least more meat,” she said, taking her own plate and sitting down at the table with her tea to have her own breakfast.
The wolf took his time eating, then drank the rest of the water that was in his bowl. He waited patiently until Aubreigne was finished. When she took her plate and cup into the kitchen, the wolf took his water bowl in his teeth and carried it into the kitchen after her.
Aubreigne looked down and smiled before beginning to laugh. “You’re a smart boy, aren’t you?” she asked, taking the bowl from him. She filled it with cool, fresh water and took it back to its place beside his plate. She left the water bowl, which he thankfully drank from, and washed his plate before putting it back beside the bowl.
“I have things to do today. You are welcome to stay here, or you can come with me,” Aubreigne said as she went into her bedroom to get dressed. The wolf watched her patiently from his spot on the rug that lay beside her bed. When she finally left her home, the wolf was beside her. He lay in the shade as she worked the fall vegetables in her garden, only wandering away every once in a while before returning to her just a short while later.
As she cleaned her home, and swept the floors, he watched, getting up to sniff the small pile of dirt she’d accumulated before sneezing, shaking his head as he walked back over to the other side of the room. By the end of the afternoon, she realized she’d been talking to him all day long as though he was a person, and for the most part, he listened as though he knew what she was saying.
At day’s end she reclined on her sofa with her sketchbook in hand. She looked over at him as she looked up from her sketchbook to be sure she had the slight curve of his ear just right. “So, if you’re going to stay, I’ll need something to call you. What shall I call you?” she asked.
The wolf canted his head this way and that as she spoke to him. He liked this human, not only had he been charged with protecting her, but she was kind to him, and kept him fed and warm. And he liked when she petted his fur. It was soothing. “What about Demon?” she asked.
The wolf just watched her as she spoke to him.
“Or, Shadow?” Aubreigne said.
“Or, Knight? Sir Knight is a good name,” she said, still sketching away. Having finished his portrait, she was working on the rocks she placed behind him in the picture. She added a few etchings onto the largest of them, for no other reason than because her own life was so caught up in magics and powers that were so prevalent in nature yet so unknown to humans. She looked up at him again, then down at the rocks with the etchings on them. “I know! Rune. I’ll call you Rune!” she said.
The wolf raised his snout into the air and gave a short, soft howl.
“You like that one. Excellent. Rune it is. Welcome, Rune. I’m glad that you’ve found me.”
Rune lay on his belly in front of the female’s fire as she spoke to him. He liked it here. This female was now under his protection. He would not be going anywhere.
~~~
Later that night Rune lay sleeping beside Aubreigne’s fire as a world away the male who’d interceded to place him there was unwillingly making his way through another dark, smoke-filled, crowded den of inequity on his way to plunge his body into as many sins and atrocities as The Dark One could possibly find to immerse him in. Amilanu had maintained control for as long as he could. When he felt himself slipping as The Dark One took over possession of their shared body, he did the only thing he knew to do to keep Aubreigne safe. He willed himself to a large, busy city with plenty of willing participants to keep The Dark One’s attention far from Aubreigne, the one person that mattered more to Amilanu than his own well being.
~~~
The following morning, Aubreigne was loading the fall vegetables she’d grown in her garden and fruit preserves she’d made into the small wagon Murder had made for her to be able to carry them with her to offer for sale. Rune was chasing leaves blowing in the wind beneath a large tree at the edge of her yard. She’d already placed the jars of preserved figs and pears in the bottom of the wagon, and was loading the sweet potatoes, the cabbages, turnips, string beans, and onions on top, when suddenly Rune stopped chasing the leaves and made his way over to her with a deep growl in his chest. Aubreigne looked over at him then straightened up to see what or who had set him off. Rune continued to growl and his hackles were now up, his fur standing on end. Then, she saw why.
Aubreigne pursed her lips together when she saw who Rune already sensed was approaching.
“Aubreigne,” he called out, waving his hands above his head. “I’ve returned to you!” he said excitedly, breaking into a jog in her direction.
Aubreigne didn’t answer, she simply stood her ground, watching Ata’halne making his way toward her.
Rune placed himself between his mistress and the stranger. He snarled a warning, lowering his head and tensing his muscles in preparation of attack if necessary.
Ata came to a stop about twenty feet from her, and looked nervously from Aubreigne to the wolf protecting her. “Aubreigne? I don’t understand. Are you not happy to see me? I told you I would be back as soon as I fulfilled my promises to my people.”
“No, you said you couldn’t promise me a future until you’d been to your people to be sure there was nothing left for you there. I told you to stay there because I’d never settle for second choice,” Aubreigne clarified.
“You
were never second choice, Aubreigne. I simply had to be sure that all my prior commitments were tended to so that I wasn’t leaving anyone or anything wanting,” Ata tried to explain. He took a step toward Aubreigne, and Rune snarled, snapping his jaws.
“Is that a wolf? Are you not aware of how dangerous wolves are? They can tear your throat out in the night while you sleep, Aubreigne. It is not good practice to keep one so close, especially such a large, vicious one.”
Aubreigne looked at Rune, then at Ata’halne. “He may rip your throat out, but not mine. We’re friends,” she said, stooping to pick up the last of her vegetables and placing them on top of the wagon. She arranged them snugly so they’d not fall out as she pulled the wagon over the sometimes uneven ground of Whispers as she visited several families who were always anxious to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, or to trade for the goods they had in abundance as she did her produce.
Aubreigne walked to the front of the wagon and picked up the long wooden handle, slipping her hand inside the smooth cut out made for her hand. She took a few steps away from her home, and Rune went with her, keeping himself between her and Ata’halne.
“I see you’re going to trade your vegetables for other supplies,” Ata’halne said, much too brightly.
“I am,” Aubreigne said dismissively.
“I’ll accompany you. Can’t be too safe you know,” he said.
Aubreigne stopped and looked back at Ata’halne. “I don’t need you to accompany me. I’m perfectly safe on my own. Even more so with Rune at my side.”
“Still, I think I’ll join you. I’ve been long away, many friends to visit with,” he said, trailing after her.
Rune looked back over his shoulder at Ata’halne and gave him a final warning growl.
“You should visit on your own time, and if I were you, I’d stay far away from Rune. He doesn’t seem to care very much for you,” Aubreigne said as she pulled her wagon with her produce behind her.
Ata’halne followed at a distance, watching the woman he was sure he could win over as she made her way toward the more inhabited parts of Whispers with a black wolf that stood almost as tall as her waist at her side.
“I think I’ll just follow along with you. It’s been a while and I’m not quite sure of the pathways any longer,” Ata said, still remaining irritatingly jovial and good natured.
“You had no problem finding my home, and it’s intentionally not easily located,” Aubreigne said, not looking back at him.
“But, Aubreigne, your home is the only one that matters. The only one that is truly important to me.”
Aubreigne brought her wagon to a stop and looked back at him. Her face showed her confusion or irritation, which he was not sure. “I have never been important to you. I was simply a means to an end. And I’m not even angry about it anymore. I saw someone in need, and I helped. You chose to go your own way, and did so quite well. I have no idea what you expect from me now, but whatever it is, you waste your time.”
“I was wrong, Aubreigne. I’ve thought of you every single day that I’ve been away. Your beauty haunts me. And not just your physical beauty, your heart. You’re my future, Aubreigne. I’ve come back to tell you that, and to claim you as mine,” Ata’halne said, his expression and words dripping with a forced sincerity.
Aubreigne stood there, watching the male she’d once thought she loved. She didn’t feel it anymore, but she didn't feel angry at him anymore either. She cared so little for him either way that he was just someone that she’d once helped. “I’m not interested in anything you have to offer, Ata. You should have chosen another long ago.”
“I don’t want another. I want you. It’s why I’ve come back here — to win you over.”
Aubreigne laughed, the sound bright and melodic. “I can’t be won over. I am happy alone.” Rune brushed up against her leg as he glared at the uninvited visitor. “Well, alone with Rune. We’re fine, aren’t we, boy?” she asked the huge, imposing wolf.
Ata smiled at the information that she was alone, she’d not taken another male. He was thinking if he’d hurt her so badly that she’d not taken another lover, she must have truly loved him, so it would be only a matter of time before he could make her love him again. “But what harm can it be to have another friend, sweet Aubreigne. Surely one can never have too many friends?” Ata asked.
“Rune is my friend,” she said, turning her back on him and beginning to pull her wagon behind her again.
“And I shall be another — again,” Ata insisted. “I shall even win Rune over,” he declared.
Rune’s chest rumbled at the male, but, his mistress didn’t seem alarmed at all with the male’s presence. She even spoke to him, so he didn’t attack. He’d wait and see, but he’d be ready to attack if it was needed.
Ata cautiously made his way closer to Aubreigne, and Rune stepped directly between them, snapping his jaws at Ata right away.
Ata jumped back.
Aubreigne looked down at Rune, and dragged her delicate fingers through his thick, black and grey fur. “Good Rune,” she crooned to him. Then she looked at Ata who held himself about ten feet away from her. “I suggest you don’t get so close. Rune doesn’t seem to like it.”
“That’s fine for now. You’ll both see, I’m here to stay.”
Chapter 10
Aubreigne brought her wagon to a stop and looked up at the raised home above her head. She reached for the bell and gave it a good ring. As she kept her eyes trained on the railing above her, she heard Rune let off another warning growl, and that told her that Ata was still trailing her.
It was only a moment or two before Carnage’s head popped over the railing, looking down at her. He brightened and grinned at her. “’Mon!” he said, waving her up.
“Good morning, Carnage. I’ve brought vegetables. I was hoping that Carolena may be interested in some of them,” Aubreigne explained.
Carnage nodded at her and held his hand up, giving her a signal to give him a minute, then he disappeared over the railing.
It wasn’t very long before the staircase began to lower to the ground, and Carolena looked over the railing to greet her. “Hello, Aubreigne!” Carolena called, waving happily.
“Hello!” Aubreigne answered.
“Carnage says you have fresh vegetables…” Carolena said, as she waited for the stairs to completely lower to the ground.
“I do. And fruit preserves as well.”
“Do you have figs? I love your fig preserves. No matter how hard I try, I just cannot get that same flavor you do into mine,” Carolena said.
“I do! And pears, too,” Aubreigne said.
Carolena set foot on her stairway with her basket in hand and started down. Halfway down, she noticed Rune standing a few feet away from Aubreigne, his gaze fixed on a spot just out of her line of sight. “Is he with you?” Carolena asked.
Aubreigne glanced over her shoulder, then back at Carolena. “The wolf is. His name is Rune. He’s been with me for a few days now. He doesn’t seem to want to leave and is very gentle.”
Rune growled again, causing Aubreigne to turn to look at him once more, and Carolena to pause as she stepped foot on the ground.
“He’s also very protective,” Aubreigne confessed.
“What’s he protecting you from?” Carolena asked.
“An uninvited individual,” Aubreigne said resignedly.
Carolena closed the distance between herself and Aubreigne, looking over toward the wolf to see who he growled at. “Ata’halne?” Carolena said, surprised.
“Hello, Carolena! I would come greet you properly, if this beast would let me by!” Ata complained.
“Why are you here?” Carolena asked.
“I’ve come back to Whispers to make my home, and to prove myself to Aubreigne,” Ata explained, far too happily.
“I see,” Carolena answered. “Well, good luck with your endeavors.” She turned her attention to Aubreigne.
“So, a jar of figs?” Aubreigne asked.
“Yes, two please. And one of pears, and… oh, some sweet potatoes, too. Boon loves sweet potatoes. And string beans, and just a few of the onions, please.”
Aubreigne placed Carolena's choices in the basket Carolena held out toward her. As they talked and agreed upon a price, Carnage came down the stairs. “I car-eee,” he said, taking the basket from Carolena.
“Thank you,” Carolena told him, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
Carnage grinned happily as his mate kissed his face. He always did little things to cause her to kiss him or hug him. Those were the best parts of his days. His eyes fell on Ata’halne standing about twenty feet away, being held at bay by a big black wolf.
Ata raised his hand and waved. “Carnage! Good morning!”
Carnage regarded Ata critically, then looked from the wolf to Aubreigne, realizing the wolf was keeping Ata’halne a fair distance away from Aubreigne. “Goood wufff,” Carnage said.
Aubreigne glanced over at Rune. “He really is. And smart, too.”
A thundering of footsteps actually vibrated the stairs as Boon ran down to them about as delicately as a bull in a china shop. “I wanna pet the wolf!” he shouted.
“Stop!” Carolena said, raising her voice and stepping in front of him. “You don’t run at strange animals. You give them a chance to get to know you.”
“But I brought him a treat!” Boon argued, holding up a small wedge of cheese and another small piece of dried sausage.
“Let me see if he’ll stop growling at Ata long enough to come get his treat,” Aubreigne said.
“Rune, come here,” Aubreigne said, patting her thigh through her skirts.
Rune gave one last warning snarl toward Ata then moved toward Aubreigne, wagging his tail and leaning against her as he turned to be able to see Ata’halne.
Carnage walked closer to Rune and clicked his tongue to make a noise to get the wolf’s attention.
Rune snapped his attention from Ata to Carnage. He lifted his snout into the air and his nostrils flared. Carnage stepped closer and held out his hand toward the wolf.
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