“Explanation, lass,” Josh Harding said. “Why’d a beautiful girl like ye agree to go to the Spring Festival with the likes of Dunstan?”
“Well, I don’t know,” Amber said. “I guess I just haven’t been exposed to the proper kind of man, working here. Compared to you lot he seemed a right good choice.”
Josh gritted his teeth. “Where’s ‘ee at, Amber? Ye got ‘im out last night, din’cha?”
“No idea,” Amber said. “I expect he’ll show up eventually. To save people like you if we’re attacked again.” She knew she was really walking into it, but she didn’t care.
“If ee’s so brave, why hasn’t he showed up to answer our questions, then?” Daniel Bailey said. “Ee’s run away and left men like us to protect this town. Gatherin’ the dead and tending to their families.”
“Is that what you’re doing right now? Protecting Bruton? Tending to and caring for Ed Gass’s and Jasper Harrington’s families? That what you’re doing right now? If you’re so brave, why don’t you take that bravery into Bowland Mountains and speak with the wolves?”
“I’ve got a family, ‘aven’t I?” Josh Harding said. “An’ so does he!” he added, pointing to Daniel. “Et’s a brave thing to stay here with ‘em! An’ a stupid thing to go up there. But I tell you what, if I see Dunstan I’ma tie ‘im up and take ‘im up into those mountains myself!”
Amber’s face dropped in shock.
“Yeh, that’s right. I said ‘et and I meant ‘et— an’ I’m not the on’y one who would!”
“Without even speaking to him? Without even knowing what you’re doing is the right thing?”
“After seventy-odd years of peace, ye bet I would!” Josh said.
Amber looked at Daniel and he cast his eyes down to the table, while Josh continued to stare at her defiantly. They had both been drinking, but they weren’t drunk.
“Out,” Amber’s father said behind her. “Get out. Both of ye.”
“What’s this, Clarence?” Josh said. “You on ‘er side? This the pro-Dunstan tavern tonight?”
“It’s the ye’-don’t-speak-that-way-to-my daughter tavern,” Clarence said.
Josh stared hard at him and said, “When I finish, I’ll leave.”
“You misheard me, Josh. I’m tellin’ ye yr finished. Get out. Don’ make me use force.”
“Come on, Josh,” Daniel said. “Let’s go. Let’s walk the perimeter a few times. Sorry about the fuss, Clarence. Tender times, ye know. Tender times.” Daniel pulled Josh up and led him out the door.
When they were out, her father turned to her and said, “Go home, Amber. You can’t work in this environment. Not tonight.”
“I’m sorry,” Amber said, embarrassed. “I shouldn’t’ve engaged them. Should have known better. I’m sorry.”
“That’s alright, now,” Clarence said. “Go on. But that’s twice ye’ve fought for him. You’re a good girl, Amber, an’ I love you more than I could ever say. I’m sorry for what I said this mornin’. Ye wouldn’t stand beside ‘im if he wasn’t worth fighting for. I should’ve known that since the beginnin’. We’ll talk later. Whatever ye’ve got brewin’ up, let me know when et’s time. I’ll be there beside ye.”
The tears Amber had been holding back fell and she embraced her father.
He returned her hug and said, “Go on now. An’ I’m sorry again about what I said this mornin’. Go on. We’ll be alright here without ye. If we run out of bread we run out of bread. It’s not what they’re really here for.”
Amber untied her apron and gave it to her father. “I’ll just be at home. If things get too rough, send someone over. I’ll come right back.”
“Go already.Want me to give one of these lots a free drink to walk ye home?”
“No, such a short walk. I’ll be alright.”
They embraced once more before Amber left.
Outside, Rick Backus was telling the Tale of Spratling to a small group of kids. She thought about staying behind to compare it with what she now knew to be true, but decided against it. It had been a long day, and her brain needed to slow down.
On West High Street, two young boys walked behind their fathers. One lad carried a spear much too big for him while the other lugged a crossbow much too heavy. They marched onto Fleet Street and out of sight.
Children pretending to be strong, Amber thought. Even the fathers. None of you have a chance if they come in. Not without Dunstan, you don’t.
Amber walked to her house and was closing the door when she saw Martin running up the road. “Amber! Wait!” he cried. Amber motioned for him to be quiet, and he held his tongue until he stopped in front of the door, panting.
“Tomorrow,” Martin said, breathing heavily. “On the southernmost field of our land. Noon.”
“What does he want? Is he OK?” Amber asked.
“Just to talk with ye,” Martin said. “He didn’t give any details. And yes, I believe he’s OK.”
“Did you not see him?”
“No. Jessica did. I heard her scream as if she were being attacked and ran out to her, but it was only him and he had already left. She told me to chastise you for not telling us what color ‘e is.”
Amber grimaced. “Sorry. Yes, he’s white.”
“Well, we know that now,” Martin said.
“Thank you, Martin,” Amber said, “for running all the way up here.”
“It’s OK,” Martin said. “Just glad I saw you coming in so I didn’t have to go all the way to Starlight.”
Amber kissed him on the cheek, and he blushed again as he had earlier when she hugged him. Even in the dim light of evening, Amber could see it.
“You don’t have to keep doin’ that,” Martin said. “I know you’re with Dunstan, and, yeah, I’d rather I was the guy you were with, but I’m doing this because it’s the right thing. Not so I can get a hug here and a kiss there.”
“Whoever you get is going to be a lucky girl,” Amber said.
“I know,” he said. He made to leave but turned back and asked, “Are you going to be OK alone? With all that’s going on? You can stay at our place. We can make room for ye somewhere.”
“No, I need to stay near in case my parents need me. And I’m pretty sure Dunstan is nearby.”
“Oh, he’s your guardian angel now, is ‘ee?”
Amber nodded.
“Alright then,” Martin said and ran off.
Tomorrow at noon. What did he mean to tell her?
CHAPTER 13
Amber arrived early at Jessica and Martin’s so they would have plenty of time to walk to the field where Dunstan wanted to meet.
“Where’s your pa?” Amber asked as they set off to walk. Martin was with them, too, carrying a spear. “Doesn’t he normally herd the sheep?” she added.
“Nah, he and Martin take turns, which is why we’re meeting where we are.”
Martin ungated the flock, and they began making their way south through various fields, closing and opening gates. It was a slow walk, but spring was beginning to shift into place. The light was stronger, and, though it was still cold, numerous buds decorated the horizon. A few insects even hopped and flew away from them as they treaded down the grassy slopes.
“How’s William?” Amber asked.
“Busy. His father’s getting him to do all sorts of stuff. Organizing patrols, taking inventory of weapons and food. Mayor Haven isn’t taking any of this lightly.”
“Nor should he,” Amber said. “I don’t think any of us know what we’re about to get ourselves into.”
“Did Old Abbie tell you anything you didn’t know?” Martin asked with his spear dangling casually over his shoulders.
“Lots,” Abbie said. “I don’t know if I can even begin to do justice to what she told me, but I’ll give it a shot.”
Amber then proceeded to tell Jessica and Martin about Cletus Spratling, and Abbie’s theory about the demon that was locked inside of Dunstan.
“He’s alive?” Martin asked. “My childhood hero is alive
somewhere? I need to meet him. Please tell me I can meet ‘im somewhere.”
“You will. When the time is right,” Amber answered.
They reached the southernmost tip of the property where a waist high stone wall lined the perimeter. Martin went off and followed the sheep as they grazed, but Jessica and Amber hopped up onto the stone wall as they had so many times in life.
They swung their legs and watched Martin practice throwing his spear at a rolled up mound of hay.
“So yer dad kicked you out last night?” Jessica asked.
“Heard about that already? Well, he thought it’d be better for everyone if I wasn’t there,” Amber replied. “But he’s on my side now. I think he’ll help us if we need him to.”
“Our parents are afraid, but aren’t talking about it. It’s like they’re trying to pretend the wolves don’t exist.”
“Sounds like people are either ignoring it or gathering up irrational hatred for Dunstan,” Amber said. “With no in between.”
“Irrationality and apathy— that’s Bruton in a nutshell,” Jessica said.
A loud thud echoed from down the hill and then a mass of white fur landed not too far from them sending dirt and clumps of grass flying into the air.
Amber spotted his huge white wolf for only a split second and then he seemed to vanish. A few moments later, her heart lurched as he appeared from around the trunk of a nearby tree wearing only a pair of threadbare trousers. Amber saw that he was bleeding lightly from his left eyebrow.
“What happened?” Amber asked, running to him.
Dunstan scooped her up pulling her to his chest in a hug that lifted her feet from the ground. Amber felt his breath tickle her neck. The rippling muscles of his forearms held her tight against him. Her eyes filled with moisture. She’d been holding so much fear and worry for him and here he was in front of her safe - if only for the moment.
“What happened, Dunstan?” Her tone was firmer this time. She ran her fingertip over his temple.
“Skirmish.” Her lip trembled and her eyes became saucers.
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth just enough to deepen the dimple in his left cheek.
“Two of them. One of them got away from me, but I bested the other. Shouldn’t be back for a while. Starting to attack in the morning and at night.”
Amber’s eyes once again rimmed with tears. His face fell and he lifted her chin gently. He watched, bewildered, as her emotions played out on her face. His thumb stroked her cheek.
“My sweet, beautiful Amber,” he spoke barely above a whisper, “Don’t you know I’ll always come back to you?”
“Ahem… What did you want to tell us?” Jessica asked.
“A lot more of them are coming closer and closer to town. I don’t know how long I can keep them at bay before one of them gets through. Make sure the mayor knows the patrols must keep up. It’s only a matter of time before one of them gets by me.”
“Will do, but are you sure they want to get through?” Jessica asked. “I hate to ask, but are we sure they’re not just hunting you?”
Amber’s eyes widened. She couldn’t believe Jessica just asked that.
Dunstan nodded. Her question didn’t phase him. “Positive,” he said. “I’ve seen them track enough times. I always watch and make sure before pursuing them. They’re brainless. I shifted back into a human to try and talk to them today. They wouldn’t have it. It was disturbing, I won’t lie. They have no sense of compassion or sympathy, not even a sense to communicate. I’m fighting shells of creatures.”
Amber told him what Old Abbie had said about how she thought challenging the wolves had something to do with the kind of beasts they became later on if they were wounded in the fight.
“I knew it had to be something,” he said, “It’s not something I derive pleasure from – killing them. There’s no other way. They were either going to kill me or someone in town.”
“Town still has it out for you,” Amber added. “Dad kicked out two regulars last night for trying to pick a fight with me because they knew I was close to you.”
“I’m sorry,” Dunstan said. His eyes filled with sadness. “I’ll be sure to stay back, only come to town when needed.”
“But you’re not the only one who’s the way that you are,” Amber said. “Abbie told me something else that might interest you. Spratlin’s still around. He’s a good wolf like you.”
“He’s a wolf like me?” Dunstan asked. “Why have I never met him?”
“He’s been hurt since you turned,” Amber said. “And they wanted to make sure you stayed good. You were the grand experiment for them. Before you, they weren’t sure another good wolf was possible. They have absolute faith in you now.”
“Well, I’m glad someone’s turned around.”
“And me, and Jessica, and William, and Martin, and even my dad.”
Dunstan smiled at this and closed his eyes in humility.
Amber buried her face into him. “I don’t like you having to stay out of town,” she said. “I wish you could come back where it’s safe.”
“He’s the one keeping it safe!” Jessica said.
“I know, but I don’t like it. You’re out here, all alone, Dunstan. We need to make sure you and Spratling meet each other sooner rather than later so you don’t accidentally fight one another. That way you won’t be completely by yourself out here. After that we’ll work on the town.”
“Yeah? How do you plan on doing that?”
“Old Abbie has something cooked up. I’m not exactly sure what she has planned, but it’s going to take place after some men go on a peace expedition into the mountains.”
“Peace expedition? Who’s idea was that?” Dunstan asked.
“It was a crowd idea,” Amber said. “Even they’re not crazy about it. No one’s volunteered yet.”
“A fool’s expedition!” Dunstan roared. “They’re animals. I can’t stress it enough. It wouldn’t do any good. No thinking process. Pure animals. I need to find this so called Alpha, but Bowlands is dangerous for even me. I dare not venture there unless I have to.”
“I’m going to head back, you two,” Jessica said. “Not that there is any danger of them stopping or slowing down the patrols, but I want to repeat what you said to William about them encroaching even farther. He needs to know that. That and I just want to see him.”
Amber and Dunstan thanked her as she left. Martin went with her and closed the gate to the pasture. He’d come back for the flock later on in the day.
“So where are you going to go? What’s next?” Amber asked.
“Well, I was thinking,” He had a twinkle in his eyes, “You’ve only been exposed to the dark side of the wolf demon. Seen our grotesqueness. How we kill. I wanted to show you the light, just in case something should happen to me.”
“I know you’re not evil,” Amber said. “I can tell it’s not controlling you. And I had a long discussion with Abbie about it yesterday.”
“Yes, but that’s not the same. The creature that you see when I turn, you only accept because you see me underneath. You know I’m in control of it. I want you to forget about the man beneath the fur. I want you to see the demon and appreciate it.”
“I don’t know if I can do that,” Amber said. “Why would you ask me to do such a thing?”
“It’s a part of me. Now that I’ve lived with it for so long, I see the beauty within it.” Amber was silent. She didn’t like the idea of getting to know the demon— within Dunstan or without. Dunstan asked, “A few years back, right after my parents died, did you see the guards from Ledbury come through with the pirate?”
Amber shook her head.
“I did. And having nothing better to do, I went to see him. He was in shackles inside a paddy wagon while the guards stopped and ate at your parents’ tavern. A guard came out to check on him and warned me that he was one of the nastiest pirates they’d ever caught— responsible for the deaths of countless maritime officers and the burning of co
astal towns and buildings. Naturally that sparked my interest further, and so when the two of us were alone, I asked him a question. I asked him why. Simply why did he live that way? I think maybe I thought I was going to get a sob story similar to my own, but I didn’t. Do you know what he said? He said, ‘Because I was free.’”
Amber didn’t understand, and furrowed her eyebrows.
“He was free. That was his answer to why he committed such atrocities— just to simply feel like he was free. I found his answer then, as I do now, to be simply beautiful. I was free, Amber, and getting this demon within me has opened my eyes. I no longer see evil and good. Or at least I know the world to not be as simple as that. Everyone has an opposite within him. A dark side and good. The wolf that you are about to see before you has a good side. Trust me. Forget about Dunstan and just see the demon. See it for what it is, not what you think it might be.”
Amber didn’t know how to object without hurting him, so she remained silent.
He asked, “What’s the farthest you’ve been from Bruton?”
“I’ve been to Arundel a few times,” Amber said. “Almost went to Ledbury once, but Mom came down with a stomach bug and we didn’t go.”
“Ever gone east?” Dunstan asked.
“No,” Amber said.
“By horseback, it takes about two days to trot through the countryside and maneuver your way through Malbon before you can get to the ocean. You’re about to get there a lot faster than that,” Dunstan said, “Don’t move.”
He walked back around the tree the same way he had come. It was only seconds before he returned. He had sprouted white fur all over and his body and doubled in size, standing before her as a wolf-demon. Amber tried not to, but she couldn’t help but gasp in fear. He then knelt down before her. He couldn’t speak as a wolf, but Amber realized he wanted her to climb on top of him.
She eased her body on top of his and wrapped her arms around his neck. He stood up and Amber gasped when she realized how high up off the ground they were.
He turned his head back and looked at her, panting excitedly. She felt something swishing her dress and realized it was his tail. He was wagging it. She had noticed they had tails before, but had never really paid much mind to them— their jaws and claws took up too much of her attention. Dunstan was wagging his tail so enthusiastically that she could also feel his chest swaying from side to side.
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