Manifest

by Cody Whitfill

  "It be the wolves," Dwik whispered quietly. “I can’t tell if their howlin’ and yippin’ is because they picked up on the scent of the rabbit, or of us. Be ready."

  He was kidding, right? One, wolves don’t talk. Two, Gitch was fairly certain that whatever was coming, was coming for him. How could Dwik not hear the incessant "FAIRY! FAIRY!"? It seemed to drown out everything else. He certainly didn’t hear any howling. Still, he readied himself for the coming attack.

  They were both looking in the direction of the loudest noise, when off to their right, a giant wolf leapt into view. It made a beeline for Gitch and was on him in less than a second. Dwik did not let loose his sling for fear of hitting his companion. He stared in horror as the huge beast ravaged his new friend. The wolf must have been five feet tall and had mossy-green fur. A terrifying beast to be sure, but the howl it let loose as it bent down to tear into the fairy was something born of nightmares. He backed away slowly, waiting for some confirmation Gitch had either escaped or died.

  Gitch, meanwhile, was knocked flat on his back. He stared helplessly into the open maw of the deadly wolf, its large pointed teeth shining with saliva. Gitch closed his eyes, waiting for the end. He would much rather die in a magical explosion than be eaten alive, but it wasn’t like he really got a choice in the matter.

  He could feel the hot breath hit his cheek and a few droplets of saliva dripped down onto his nose. He almost screamed when something large and wet smacked against his face. He opened his eyes again and saw the wolf grinning down at him, tongue hanging out of its mouth. It puffed its chest out and bellowed, "GUUUUUYS, I FOUND THE FAIRY, GET OVER HEEEEEERE!"

  The wolf could talk! Great. They just had to run into huge magical wolves. No wonder Dwik took off running from them yesterday. Now it was calling its friends over to share in the fairy feast. At least this one was kinda cute. Actually, it looked like it needed some loving, just like the bunny. Gitch, soaked in saliva, smiled back up at the wolf and gently patted its paw. No point in not being civil. Plus, he had always liked dogs.

  "THE FAIRY TOUCHED ME! THE FAIRY TOUCHED ME! THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVERRRRRR! YAAAAAAAAAY!"

  The wolf began wagging its tail ferociously and bent down to give Gitch another lick.

  Heh, this wolf wasn’t so bad, he thought. It loosened its hold on Gitch, and he was able to fly up and scratch behind the mega wolf’s left ear.

  Up until this point, Dwik had been silently weeping, mourning the passing of the strange, stupid fairy that had become his friend. He saw the wolf bend down and wag its tail while howling in delight. It was now only a matter of time before the rest of the pack rushed in to finish him off. Well, he was not going down without a fight! He cocked his arm back and was just about to release the stone, when he saw Gitch fly up and begin stroking the ravenous wolf! The same wolf that Dwik could have sworn had already feasted on his corpse!

  "Oi, what the hell is going on here?! Ya plannin’ on shackin’ up with every animal in the forest? That wolf wanted to eat me yesterday, ya know?!” Dwik said in exasperation. He was about to just give up. He had seen a lot over the last day, but this almost sent him over the edge. The creepy environment wasn’t helping matters any.

  The wolf spun on him and growled menacingly. Gitch could see the hair on its back bristle and its once playful nature evaporate.

  "FRIEND FAIRY, I MET THIS GNOME YESTERDAY. HE THREW SOMETHING AT ME AND RAN AWAY LIKE A LITTLE SCAREDY WEASEL. HE DID! HE DID! I SHOULD HAVE GIVEN CHASE AND TORN THAT UGLY HAIR OFF HIS FACE. DID HE THROW SOMETHING AT YOU TOO, FAIRY FRIEND? SHOULD I REMOVE HIS HAND FOR YOU, FAIRY FRIEND? WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU, FAIRY FRIEND? WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?”

  Congratulations! You have unlocked a hidden racial trait: Beast Friend

  You are awarded automatic friend status with all beasts of neutral alignment or higher. You also possess an innate ability to communicate with any neutral or positive aligned beast of nature.

  Okay, that was amazing! Maybe being a fairy wasn’t so bad. Who wouldn’t want to fly and be able to talk with animals? He knew he was now in the clear, but Dwik was still very much in danger. He needed to think of something quick to save his friend.

  "Eh, no need to remove a limb, he is a friend. He was actually just trying to play fetch with you yesterday, and left in a hurry to bring you another present. He loves wolves very much." He was lying his tiny butt off, but it seemed to work.

  "OOOOOOH FETCH? I LOVE FETCH. YES! YES! YES! SO, GNOME IS FRIEND? THIS IS GOOD? MORE FETCH? YES! YES!"

  The wolf shot towards the gnome and jumped about wildly, ready for him to throw something.

  "Dwik, she thinks you brought her a present-like another stick to play fetch with!" Gitch said quickly before Dwik attacked out of fear. That would not go over well.

  “Son of a motherless goat!” Dwik cried out in alarm, throwing his hands in the air as four more wolves appeared.

  "GUYS! GUYS! GUYS! I FOUND THE FAIRY! I DID! I DID! I DID! I DID!" the original wolf yipped energetically. "AND THE SCAREDY WEASEL IS A FRIEND! DO NOT EAT GNOME, PLEASE! NO! NO! HE WANTS TO PLAY FETCH WITH US! YES! HE DOES! HE DOES!"

  Dwik fumbled around in his own bag of holding before pulling out an old, gnarled walking stick. It had served him well in many adventures and just might be his ticket to surviving this latest one. He waived the stick back and forth before throwing with all his might. All five wolves tore off after the stick. Two of them found it at the same time and tried to tug it from the other. The other three returned to Dwik, waiting for him to throw another. They were all wagging their tails and trying to get a few licks in here and there. It appeared to Gitch that they were each trying to suck up to the gnome in hopes of getting a yummy treat or a head start for the next throw. The other two returned; one holding the stick, the other with its tail between its knees. Dwik took the stick and threw it again... and again... and again. Over and over he threw it. He may have been terrified initially, but the five wolves were doing their best to make him feel welcome. He may not be smiling exactly, but his frown wasn’t quite as prominent anymore. Gitch could have sworn he even gave one of the wolves a pat on the top of the head. The wolf affectionately licked his hand, and Dwik gave a small chuckle.

  After about an hour or so of fetch, Gitch finally called for a halt to chat with their new friends some more. "Alright, everyone, bring it in. This has been a joyous meeting, but I do not believe we have been properly introduced. My name is Gitch, and that is my friend Dwik. We are pleased to make your acquaintance. By what name may we call each of you?" He addressed all five of the wolves, not knowing for sure which was their leader. The wolves sat in a semi-circle in front of the pair, but it was the moss colored wolf in the center that spoke up.

  "WELL MET GITCH, FRIEND OF WOLVES! WELL MET DWIK, MIGHTY STICK THROWER! THE TALE OF YOUR GREAT STRENGTH WILL BE SHARED WITH ALL FUTURE GENERATIONS. YOUR NAME WILL LIVE IN LEGEND AMONG WOLVES EVERYWHERE!"

  Wow, Dwik had certainly made a strong second impression. Gitch translated for Dwik, who nervously bowed to each wolf in turn.

  "THESE FOUR WOLVES ARE MY LITTERMATES. YES! YES! THE ONE ON MY FAR RIGHT WITH THE TEAL PATCH ON HIS FLANK IS NAMED PATCH. HE HAS A PATCH! HE DOES! HE DOES! NEXT TO HIM IS MY SISTER, GOLDIE. SHE HAS TWO GOLD PAWS AND IS THE FASTEST OF US. FAST! VERY FAST! TO MY LEFT IS MY FIERY SISTER, HALF-TAIL. SHE IS MISSING HALF HER TAIL FROM TAKING ON A CLAN OF BADGERS. WE NO LONGER LIKE BADGERS! NO! NO! NEXT TO HALF-TAIL IS MY BROTHER. WE CALL HIM RUNT. HE IS SMALL, BUT GOOD WOLF. YES! YES! I AM DIFFERENT. I AM CALLED ALPHA. YES! YES! I SPEAK FOR MY LITTERMATES, AND WE ARE PLEASED TO MEET YOU BOTH!"

  The others started yipping in agreement. "OOOH YES! YES! WE ARE! YES! MORE SCRATCHING! PLEASE?"

  They were a cheery bunch when not in attack mode; he liked them immensely! He started flying around and scratching each one behind the ear.

  "Well met indeed! I do have a question for you. What became of the ‘stick’ Dwik threw yesterday? Would you still happen to have it?"

  "YES! YES! WE
HAVE IT IN OUR DEN! YOU COME WITH US? COME! COME! WE FIND STICK AND PLAY MORE! YES? YES! YOU COME!"

  "Yes, yes of course we will come! Lead the way, Alpha!"

  The wolves bolted to the south just a split second later. Gitch and Dwik shared a look and then took off after them. There was no way Dwik could keep up, and soon enough the wolves circled back. The wolf with the two gold paws bent down and let Dwik climb on her back. The gnome definitely looked a bit hesitant.

  Goldie gave his hand a lick in reassurance, which was all it took for him to ‘gnome-up’ and mount her. Having no idea how to hold on, he lay on his belly with his arms and legs wrapped around the wolf’s mighty torso. His arms were not long enough to reach, so he just grabbed some fur and hoped for the best.

  Gitch looked on, laughing silently. It was quite the sight, but he did not want to give his friend too hard a time. He knew Dwik was in the middle of conquering his fear of canines, and it was one of those powerful experiences he would remember for quite some time. Gitch would just need to remember to laugh at him later like a true friend.

  When he felt as secure as possible, Dwik shouted, "Alright Goldie, when yer ready.” The quick footed wolf let loose a howl and galloped away. Gitch flew along next to them for a while, catching a large grin on Dwik’s face. He certainly looked like he was enjoying himself, so Gitch zoomed forward to catch up with Alpha.

  He found the green wolf leading the pack. He slowed down to match her speed and landed gently on her large head. He sat between the two perky ears and renewed scratching as he took in the beauty of the woods around him. He loved flying, but this was another experience that was almost as thrilling. Seeing as he didn’t have a whole lot else going on at the moment, he struck up a conversation with the she-wolf.

  "So Alpha, tell me about your pack. Is it just the five of you, or should we expect to see more wolves when we arrive at your den?"

  "WE ARE A WOLF PACK, AND THAT IS OUR NAME! YES! YES! IT IS JUST US FIVE NOW. WE WERE 6, BUT OLD ALPHA CHALLENGED MASTER. OLD ALPHA WAS STUPID WOLF. NEW ALPHA SMART WOLF! YES! YES! I NOT ATTACK MASTER, AND LITTERMATES DON’T ATTACK MASTER. WE SERVE HIM SO WE KILL HIM LATER! YES! YES! YES! NOW GITCH FAIRY MASTER COMES AND SAVES PACK! FAIRY KILL MASTER AND THEN YOU BE GOOD MASTER? YES! YOU FAIRY! YOU GOOD MASTER! YES!" Alpha said with all the confidence in the world. There was no doubt that Gitch would save them all.

  "Whoa, whoa, wait a minute! I-" Gitch started, but found himself suddenly flying through the air. Not actually flying. More like tumbling forward through the air, mount-less. He stared down as the ground continued to get closer. He tried pulling in his fairy dust to fly, or at the least slow his decent, but it all happened so fast, there just wasn’t time.

  YOU HAVE SUFFERED 12 PHYSICAL DAMAGE!

  Once Gitch’s head stopped ringing, he looked around to see what had befallen Alpha. Were they attacked? Did she break a leg running through the forest? Nope. He found the giant wolf roughly 8 feet away, head down and avoiding eye contact. Her face had that ‘Oh crap, I’m definitely guilty. If I try hard maybe he won’t see me, or will blame someone else’ look.

  "Alpha, why did you stop? Are we in danger? Should we hide?" Gitch asked in concern.

  "NO DANGER, GITCH FAIRY. YOU SAY WAIT. I WAIT. I SORRY YOU FALL. IS MY FAULT! YOU PUNISH ALPHA NOW, OK? MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER? OK. NO MORE SAD GITCH FAIRY? PLEASE NO SAD FACE! NO! NO!"

  Alpha sank to the ground, front legs outstretched with her face in the dirt. The sight really did make Gitch a bit emotional. He definitely wasn’t crying though. He was a manly fairy! That’s what he told himself, anyway.

  By now, the rest of the pack had stopped and were nervously watching the exchange. Dwik hopped down from his wolf, but likewise stayed back, waiting to see how this would play out.

  "Alpha, it’s all good! I was the one that told you to ‘wait a minute’, you were just following directions, and rather quickly I might add! Of course, there will be no punishment. You’re a good Alpha! Yes, you are!" Gitch said encouragingly.

  Alpha stood back up and wagged her tail vigorously. She leapt forward and with her long tongue, licked Gitch’s tiny body from toe to head. He, in turn, gave the wolf another playful scratch under her chin. An audible sigh of relief was heard from several of the wolves and one very tense gnome.

  As the situation de-escalated, Gitch asked Alpha about their current master. Who and what he was, and any useful information she might have on him.

  "MASTER IS A SMALL, WINGED CREATURE, LIKE THOSE CAVE BIRDS THAT HANG UPSIDE-DOWN. THOSE ARE SCARY! YES! YES! HE IS NOT A BIRD. I THINK THERE IS A NAME FOR CREATURES LIKE HIM, BUT I DO NOT KNOW IT. NO! HE IS MAYBE TWO OF YOU TALL, AND BLACK AS CAVE BIRD. HE CAN TALK LIKE YOU, GITCH FAIRY, BUT HE MEAN. NO NICE! NO! NO! HE KILL OLD ALPHA AND IS NEW MASTER. HE STAYS IN CAVE WITH OTHER CAVE BIRD THING. THAT ONE DO MUCH, MUCH WORK. HE NOT SO BAD. HE DRAWS ON WALLS. HE NOT LAZY LIKE MASTER, BUT HE SCARED. SAD! WE BRING THEM FOOD. MASTER DOES NOT PET OR PLAY LIKE DWIK GNOME AND GITCH FAIRY! NO! YOU CHALLENGE HIM! YES? YES!"

  Gitch looked at Dwik, who had walked up next to him as Alpha spoke. When the wolf finished, Gitch translated everything to the gnome and asked, "Do you know what creature she could be referring to?" If anyone knew, it would of course be Dwik. He had spent years in this forest and could probably name every living beast within its bounds.

  "Aye, sounds like one of those god’s-forsaken imps has taken charge of the pack. This is not good. There is one more thing I should be tellin’ ya. Imps and fairies be at war within the Dufflin Forest. This forest is so magical, several races can’t help but be drawn to it. Both imps and fairies can be more than a bit mischievous, though fairies tend to lean on the side of good, while imps usually sit on the side of evil. I have heard this is not always the case, though I have not seen it to be otherwise. I would suggest we tread very cautiously on our way to the wolf den from here on out. Imps rarely travel outside of a flock, and I would not be surprised if there was one nearby. Ya do not want to be ambushed by an imp flock! Trust me on that one," Dwik finished as he scanned the nearby trees for any sign of trouble.

  "Fair enough," Gitch replied. Turning back to Alpha, he asked, "How far do we have until we arrive at your home? We need to reach the den undetected by your master."

  "WE ARE NEARLY THERE, GITCH FAIRY. JUST ANOTHER FEW HUNDRED STRIDES, AND WE WILL SEE CAVE! YES! YES! WE ARE CLOSE! WE BE CAREFUL NOW. NO MORE RUNNING. NO MORE FALLING. PACK SNEAK! YES! WE SNEAK QUIET, VERY GOOD! YES! YES! YES!"

  "That’s great! Yes, very quiet, very sneaky. Now is there anything else you can tell us about the imps, like maybe what the one was drawing on the walls?" Gitch wanted to gather as much information about his foe prior to the confrontation.

  Alpha paused for a moment, trying to think if there was any other information, she could tell the nice little fairy. "I AM SORRY GITCH FAIRY. I CAN RECALL SOME OF THE SYMBOLS, BUT I DO NOT KNOW THEIR MEANING! NO! NO!" Alpha moaned in disappointment.

  "Would you be able to replicate the symbols in the dirt?" Gitch asked hopefully.

  The wolf stared at him with incomprehension until Gitch imitated writing on the ground. Alpha then nodded excitedly and lifted her paw. She made several deep gouges into the loose earth. It wasn’t neat, and some were barely legible, but they were letters all right. English letters in fact. Alpha had carved out two words on the forest floor as Gitch looked on in shock at their meaning. He would be meeting his first player, as an enemy. Dwik looked down in confusion as well and read the words aloud.

  “O’DOYLE RULES!”

  Chapter 12

  The group slowly crept along until they caught sight of a small clearing just outside the cave entrance. At some point, they had crossed back over to the land of light, hope, and beauty. Honestly, it was just more appealing being on this side of the forest. I mean, who would want to live in constant drab all day, he thought to himself.

  The cave itself was set against the side of a rocky hill. He spotted several marks of graffiti surrounding the en
trance, all drawn in some sort of white chalk. He saw the “O’DOYLE RULES!” sign just above the threshold, but there were also “IMPS SUCK!”, “FAIRIES BLOW!”, “SCREW YOU IF YOU CAN READ THIS!” and many other sayings covering much of the rocky surfaces. If he were to guess, the second imp was definitely a pessimist. Probably got his motivational speeches from Squidward.

  As they sat staring, they heard a small scream come from the inside of the cave. They heard a loud BOOM, followed by billows of smoke pouring out of the entrance hole. Gitch looked at Dwik, who shrugged his shoulders in response. No other noises came from inside the cave. He had no idea what happened, but he was about to find out.

  Riding Alpha up to the cave mouth, he shouted his challenge. "I, Gitch, fairy of the Dufflin Forest, have been sent to convey a message to the imps of this cave! I bid you, come out so we may speak!”

  He had the wolves arrayed in a ‘W’ formation. He and Dwik sat atop Alpha and Goldie respectively, while the three remaining wolves stood stoically behind. Dwik had his sling out, looking like he was ready for a fight.

  Dwik had confided in him that he had actually never slung while mounted. Only nobles were trained in this manner, and he likely would not be near as accurate while sitting atop his wolf. This was fine by Gitch. He wasn’t actually anticipating a fight, at least, not yet.

  They did not have to wait very long. After just a few moments, a one-foot tall black creature appeared from inside the cave. He had a spiked tail, and a yellow dot hung above his head. The wings were rolled up on his back but unfurled momentary as he hopped out of the cave. They spanned a full three feet across and were indeed bat-like. Two small horns protruded from his head, and his eyes were a sickly yellow.

  "Imp, where is your companion?" Gitch asked in his most authoritative voice, banking on the imp not attacking him on sight. The wolves may very well be obligated to back their true master, and Gitch and Dwik would likely not survive the encounter. It was for this very reason that he told Dwik that duplicity might be the way to go here. If it came to fighting, he wasn’t 100% certain the wolves wouldn’t turn on them, and who knew how powerful both imps were. No, they would try speaking with them first.