by Amy Morris
“Boy, Toad, you sure know how to get everything’s attention with a twenty-mile radius,” Rabble winks but Angel looks far from jovial.
“From now on, no yelling, got it Toad,” Angel barks.
“Got it,” the offender mutters like a whipped dog.
“Anyway, it was just a wolf scouting party, took off the other direction when they saw us approaching. That being said, we should be good. Probably explains the feeling of being watched Goss had,” Rabble informs the rest of us since Angel berated Toad instead.
Our pace quickens once we reach the hilly landscape of Cordova, leaving the rocky mountain terrain. The wolves from earlier seemed to pace us from afar, disappearing once we leave the remote area. With the sun starting to set, I urge my horse up a taller hill we come across. From the top, I’m unable to see any town or buildings. Definitely won’t be making the monastery tonight.
“See anything?” Angel yells as he approaches my location.
“What happened to not yelling?” My voice carrying from the height.
Angel slows as the distance between us narrows, “good point,” he snorts. “I’ll apologize for being harsh on him after we make camp,” I nod my approval at this. Toad’s been morose most of the day, so an apology would probably do much to lighten his spirits again.
“And to answer your question, no, I see nothing,” breathing out a heavy sigh.
“Don’t lose heart, one more night and you’ll see your father, Abby. If nothing else, this journey has brought you back to your parents even if it wasn’t together,” he offers with a sincere smile.
“Well, I’m afraid it gets worse, Angel.”
“How’s that Abby?” his face turning to mine quickly.
“Goss mentioned she has seen little to hunt, so it’s salted meat for dinner.” I laugh as I leave him for lower ground and the rest of the group. A guttural yell follows, causing me to laugh harder. Almost losing my seat, as I slow approaching the rest waiting on us.
“Why is Angel screaming?” Talia asks expectantly.
“I mentioned there’s nothing to hunt, so it’s salted meat for dinner” I snort. Still unable to contain myself completely while the rest of the group joins in on the joke.
Not long after, the sun dips too low to continue, forcing us to make camp for the night. Deciding to seek refuge in a low spot, Angel has taken to keep watch from the top of the hill while eating. The area is quiet with an occasional distant howl or hoot, but nothing else. Reappearing Angel informs us he can see lights in the distance, which from the lack of movement suggests a town not far away.
With a light heart, I wrap myself into my blanket for a good night’s rest before seeing my father. Jokes are still flying across the group as I drift asleep. A snarl from behind me ends my peacefulness abruptly. “What the,” I yell as a colossal figure approaches me as a shadow.
“Get back.” I hear Talia yell, as well as the sound of her sword being drawn. “What are these things?” she yells to anyone who can answer.
“I don’t know,” comes the response in unison from most of the group.
Backing closer to the fire holding my dagger, the figure becomes clearer in the light. A face mangled with dark fur baring sharp teeth from its elongated snout ventures closer to me, dropping to four legs instead of two. “Werewolf,” I whisper. Every child has heard of the mythical creature in a fairy tale, or even had nightmares about them. But they’re real, I realize as it keeps stalking closer to me. Its intent is obvious. I can hear yells from my companions as they hopefully fend off their attackers, but for the moment I only focus on mine.
From my lessons with Verona and constant practicing since, I’m able to focus only on the power that lays dormant in my veins until it thrums with energy pooling in my hands. Keeping my eyes locked on the beast slowly approaching me, I’m able to pool enough to give it a quick jolt. But that’s not what I want so pulling harder praying for more time we wait each other out in silence. The rest attacked while this one seems to bide its time, that’s a bigger concern in of itself. Feeling the familiar tingle in my wrists, I know there’s enough power for a large ball of flames to do more than stun this beast. Pushing my magic out of both palms, it combines into a large ball of blue light licked by fire that hits the werewolf square in the neck, stopping it in its tracks.
As the headless body crumbles to the ground, I’m on my feet in an instant to help my friends. Seeing Goss nearby with her bow, and two werewolves on the ground unmoving with multiple arrows jutting out of them. I turn to my right, where Toad is swinging a flaming log at one. His next swing connects with its head at the same time my fire hits his neck, relieving it of said head.
“Thanks, I needed that.” Toad breathes heavily, still trying to catch his breath.
“No problem, Toad,” turning to see where else I can help.
Rushing towards Razz and Rabble with flames lacing through my hands, I assault three werewolf with a whiplike movement of fire ending their threat.
Angel and Talia are still holding their own, thankfully. We all stand speechless as more shadows crest the slopping hills around us, I lose hope of victory as my magic wanes.
Toad has taken to swinging a sword to keep attackers at bay, while Goss loses ground with her bow. “They just keep coming.” Talia yells over the snarls and howls of the creatures, “Any suggestions?”
No reply comes as we all continue to fight the onslaught any way we can. Now useless with my magic, I’ve started throwing knives, hoping to at least slow them. “What do we do?” I ask to anyone who might hear me.
Then it stops just as quickly as it all started. The werewolves seem distracted by something and hurry over the hill Angel occupied earlier in the night. “What the,” Rabble starts but before he can finish, a large blue flash illuminates the sky from the direction the creatures headed.
“Oh hells, now what?” Angel grumbles, holding his left side.
We regroup inadvertently waiting to see what may approach us from over the ridge. Two dark figures crest the hill and without hesitation descend towards us.
“Do we know them?” Razz asks quietly, for now none of us are sure, so she receives no answer.
“I’m praying they’re friendly since they have the same magic as Abby,” Rabble admits. And he’s not alone. My mind races, hoping that Verona has somehow made her way here. Both figure's stride is too steady to be hers, I notice.
Approaching at a leisurely pace, the figures turn from shadows to silhouettes. “It can’t be,” Goss gasps, “Can it?” Turning to the rest of us for confirmation.
“It seems it can,” Angel answers.
I can barely speak, let alone walk when I try to rush towards my mother. As my steps quicken, so do hers as we collide in a tight embrace, I let the sob I’ve been holding in escape me. “You killed them right, no more monsters?” I ask with my face crushed against her neck.
“I called them to us, he took care of the rest,” she motions to her left. Turning now towards the man who has caught up to her, I see the resemblance immediately, just as she described. Turning towards him my mother takes his hand before speaking, “Abigail this is your…”
“Father,” I finish for her. Tearfully taking in his brown eyes, the color of roasted almonds. Losing my breath when I notice the light brown hair that’s just a few shades darker than mine. He smiles now, assured that I’m not offended by his presence. His stance visibly relaxes.
“It’s good to see what a fine young woman you’ve grown into up close, finally,” he remarks with a broader smile. Without thinking, I wrap my arms around him and he returns the embrace. Tears stream down my cheeks at the joy of this moment. “It’s alright my child, we have much to catch up on. Shall we join your friends who seem eager to find out what’s going on?” Nodding my agreement we make our way quickly to them and after brief introductions my father’s face turns serious. “I don’t want to tell you this, I know you are looking to retrieve the sun stone from me. And I would give anything
to have more time with you, but for now our reunion will be brief I believe.”
“I think we can spare a few days to let you get reacquainted,” Rabble interjects. “Some rest would be welcome for us all, sir.”
My father turns to him, “Thank you Prince Kevon, there’s more to it than that I’m afraid.”
“What is it?” I ask, at a loss as dread now pools inside me.
“No point in dragging this out Ned,” my mother places her hand on his shoulder.
“Yesterday someone stole the Sun stone from the monastery,” he announces.
To be continued…
Acknowledgement
To my mother, Linda Dutterer, and sister in law, Elizabeth Dutterer. Thank you for your help and feedback.
To my poor husband, Michael, thank you for the encouragement and understanding during this process.
To the many vineyards of Napa Valley, your contributions to the store shelves helped immensley during this endeavor.
About The Author
Amy Morris
Amy Morris is a new author to the young adult and fantasy genres. She wrote several short stories for magazines in her High School and College years. Currently, she lives in the Houston, TX area, working full time in the oil and gas industry. She loves traveling and cooking when she’s not writing in her spare time. The mother of two keeps busy most days, but still finds time for her husband and consuming a good book on her back patio with a glass of wine.
Books In This Series
Legacy of Fraine
Stones of Fraine
Heir of Fraine
Coming Winter of 2021