The Order of Events: The Red Wolf

by C. J. Haines

In her dream, she was surrounded by a wide plain of sand, wind billowing around her. She watched from afar as two armies opposed each other in combat, blade against blade, mingling with screams in the air. All happened with a muffled sound as if Samana was underwater.

  A cloud of smoke shot from the ground in front of Samana, causing her to bear her arms as a shield against the smoke, which she was able to make out two outlines of standing figures within.

  As the smoke cleared, Samana’s eyes gaped open as she stood before her father and sister, who stood beckoning to her for help, calling out indiscriminately, in an echoing fashion.

  Samana called out desperately to them, as she tried to reach them, but they were unreachable to her grasp, as she was unable to move. “Wait, I can’t hear you. Speak more clearly! I want to help you!!!”

  Tears streamed from Samana’s eyes as she reached out harder and harder, but to no avail. The figures of her lost family cried out, louder and louder, and then sand coughed up from around Samana, and enveloped her father and sister, along with the warring figures beyond them. Samana screamed out to them, as they were swallowed by the sands. “Father!!! Sister!!!” But they were gone.

  Samana lay in the lonely, sandy ground. Kneeling as tears poured down from her eyes. She couldn’t help them. She couldn’t save them.

  All of the sudden, a fiery ring of flames cast itself around the sorrowful girl, and darkness was cast upon the sky, the fire providing the only light in the darkness.

  Samana wiped her tears away, and looked about the darkness. She had seen dreams like this before.

  As she scanned the pitch black of the dream, Samana looked for some sign of life, and then twin flames appeared in front of her, and moved in a fearful manner, swaying to and fro.

  Samana was helpless, unable to move once more, and was left to await the coming of the figure of darkness.

  Out from the black was produced a dark, charcoal-skinned figure with burning embers dancing on their skin, forming a sort of freckled appearance on their face as they drew close to Samana, standing but an inch greater than her own height.

  The figure craned, staring her up and down, their eyes burning intensely upon her. The figure opened its mouth and showed her its sharp, long fangs, drawing its head to her neck, the fangs scraping lightly against her pale skin as a voice rang out, distorted and gratingly. “I will come for you…watch for the eclipse, the light that gave birth to my people…watch…for me.”

  The figure drew back from Samana and stood before her, letting out a resounding howl upon the dreamy air. Samana’s eyes were fixed on the figure as the fire grew greater around her, and gave light to the figure. She was able to make only but a few details out before the fire engulfed her entirely. The figure was that of a young boy, charcoal-skinned, and with a beastly look about him.

  Samana awoke from her dream, hot, and panting wildly. What was that she just dreamt, and had been dreaming of the past few months? What did it mean?

  Samana calmed her breathe as her attention was drawn to the chamber door as it opened, revealing the owl, Hoosun, in its arched entrance.

  The owl closed the door behind his massive form, and walked over to Samana as he saw her awake and sitting up on her bed. “Are you okay, Samana?”

  The red and gray, streaky-haired girl bunched her legs up and looked at her owl friend, asking him a question. “Hoosun, do you think my sister…do you think she’s aged as I have? Do people age when they…” The owl rested his feathery hand on her shoulder, and sat next to her on the bed, allowing her to lean herself on his mass. “They do, Samana, they do…you both are seventeen, now.”

  Samana curled up next to her fatherly friend as he drew his wing over her, to cover her with his warmth.

  The night outside was bright and clear. Far out, across the open plains, and through the Khergy Pass, and in the sandy territories of the Southern Lands, three figures strode across the vastness of the seemingly never ending sand.

  The leader of the trio stopped at the foot of a dune and sat down, calling to his fellow travelers. “Let us rest here…the pass is still further away than I thought. I think we might have gotten lost in the mix of things.”

  The eldest of the three sat next to the leading male and removed her face covering, revealing her sharp teeth, and black encircled eyes. She was a frightful sight. “Lost along the way? It does not matter. We have plenty of time, Satthias…plenty of time.”

  The leader, Satthias, sat looking out across the sand as the last of the three caught up. “Yes, plenty of time, Runa.”

  The third figure stumbled across the sands as they blew wildly from beneath his feet. He sat next to his father, and pulled off his face coverings and hood. His face was as the others, pronounced cheek bones, sharp teeth, sunken eyes, and a wild yellow gracing them as he looked to his father as his black, spiky, shoulder length hair blew wildly in the sand filled air. “Father, I had another of those dreams last night. I don’t think I quite understand them.”

  The boy’s father shook his shoulder with a strong grip, and looked into his deep eyes. “You will, my son, when the time is right.”

  The elder of the three, Runa, shook in the wind as the many bones that clung to her garment rattled in the wind, causing an eerie clatter as she spoke, her head mounted with a beastly skull as she faced downward. “Indeed. In time, young one, you will understand these dreams of yours. It is your destiny calling you, heed it as it calls. It will guide you justly.”

  -Chapter 8-

  Present

  It was early morning the next day.

  Samana awoke from a restful sleep, spread out across her bed. She ruffled her hair as it was hanging on the right side of her head. It appeared that Hoosun had left as her support during her sleeping.

  Hopping up from her bed, Samana tried desperately to remember her dream, which now seemed so hard to do, after it was so clear the previous night. Samana went to her window and looked out upon the shiny day. Far ahead, on the horizon, stormy clouds were seen. A storm was to come, but maybe the sun would prevail in the conflict, and the wind would blow the storm westward, away from the Order that lay north of the brewing assault of rain and lightning.

  A knock was heard at the door, and Samana answered the rapping, looking upon the door. “Come in.”

  The door opened and produced the feathery being of Hoosun. He kept the door open and called to his young friend, gesturing for her to follow. “Come here, Samana. The Mother Dhahn and I must speak with you, it is urgent.” The braided-haired girl followed her friend through the tower passages and left the door to close behind her by a gust of the wind from the window. The uppermost chamber of the tower was lit blissfully as the sun beamed in through the chamber mouth, radiating a green wonder across the floor and ceiling.

  Samana and the owl entered the chamber, and immediately went over to the waiting Mother Dhahn, who stood at the balcony rail, looking out upon the vast greenery below.

  Hoosun put a caring arm across Samana’s shoulder as they strode, placing themselves within but a few feet of the Mother’s back. “I’ve brought Samana, Mother.” The owl said, awaiting the response of his dear friend.

  “Thank you, Hoosun. We must not waste time.” The Mother said as she turned upon the two figures in front of her as she held her hands before her, her fingers locked together.

  Samana was curious as to why she was summoned, and didn’t bother wasting time to ask. “Why have you brought me up here? Have I done something wrong? Is this about the apple I tossed at Mensh, yesterday?”

  Hoosun stifled a laugh, and by a respondent look of seriousness from the Mother, recovered his sincerity, clearing his throat before speaking. “We brought you here, Samana, to speak of the dreams that you have been having during the passing months.” Samana nodded in recognition of his statement, but she could not remember her dream from last night, and spoke her mind of the subject. “Oh, I see…I actually had another dream last night, Hoosun…but I cannot remember it. I just reme
mber it had the similar figure from my other ones…that is all.”

  The owl rubbed his beak thoughtfully, looking to the Mother for suggestions. “I see, Samana…well…there are still your other dreams to speak of. You can’t remember anything from your dream last night, other than the figure?”

  Samana shook her head sorely, trying to think of a solution, but could not.

  The Mother spoke softly, forgiving the young one’s loss of thought. “It is okay, Samana. As Hoosun says, we still have your other dreams to speak of, but let us tell you why we must speak of them, first.” The stripy-haired girl was very curious as to the reasoning of the wise Mother and the great owl that stood next to her as she took to listening intently to every word the Mother spoke. “Two years ago, a traveler came to our Order, named Rartyr. He was blind, broken, and very tired…and also dying. But before his death, which was only within a few days after his arrival, he told us of a legend, a prophecy amongst his people, the Clan of Ernai. This prophecy he spoke of was of the Red Wolf. He said that, long ago, wolves had come to the land of his people. These wolves said they were being exterminated and chased by the Nightwatcher and a great armored clan of warriors-” Samana spoke, interrupting the Mother. “You mean the Dawn Bringers?” The Mother nodded, and continued her story. “Yes…the wolves said that they would not survive another conflict with the fearsome warriors and their leading horned beast, and delivered a proposition to the leader of the Ernai, one named Grede. The wolves offered a soul pact, the combination of the soul of a human and a beast into one. In exchange for this act, which the wolves thought of as continuing the blood of their breed, the people of the Ernai would not only gain the physical attributes of wolves, but a favor in return. When the Clan had reached near extinction, the last child born of their people would contain the souls of those wolves who stood amongst their camp through a series of soul pacts. The boy would grow into a great demon on the next eclipse, the source of the power of the wolves, and in a way, their birthmother. This demon, the Red Wolf, would be capable of changing between human and beast, and would inherit the burning will of fire to his command. His destiny would be to wield the fire of the wolves’ baptism, and use it to burn out all life, then claiming and making the world into one for the wolves. The leader of the Ernai, Grede, was very tempted by this offer, for he lusted for power greatly, and so he took it. The wolves’ souls left their bodies and went into those of the Ernai, and they began to change, gaining the fearsome eyes, sharp claws, teeth, speed, agility, and senses of the wolves. The Clan grew a great strength that day they made the pact. But in the distance, the leader, Grede, heard approaching feet, and had his clan members cut and slice the wolves, as to make it appear that the Ernai had slain them. Once the Dawn Bringers arrived, they were told this lie and left, not thinking twice of it, as they believed now that all the wolves had been killed…but they had not.”

  Samana stepped back. The story was amazing, and then her past dreams came to mind and she spoke. “So, you think that my dreams are connected to this demon, the Red Wolf?”

  Hoosun stepped in and spoke. “Yes. The figure in your dreams of charcoal skin, as if baptized in fire, the sharp fangs…” The Mother interrupted and spoke her piece once more. “Yes, we believe your dreams hold significance, Samana. We must discover your purpose. Anyway, after Rartyr told us of this prophecy, he said that there were but a few of his people living, now. He said that the remaining Ernai traveled amongst the Southern Sands, waiting for the day of the eclipse to come, for there was a child with them, and that this child was the Red Wolf.”

  Samana pondered the idea and then spoke, swiftly. “He must be…but what can we do?”

  The Mother spoke as she turned to the balcony tip and mounted her hands on the smooth, stone railing. “We would’ve sent the Dawn Bringers to hunt for the remaining Ernai, but they were gone, and I cannot leave here, for the Aura must be protected at all times. It is my purpose, Samana, and now we must try and find yours.”

  Samana held her hand under her chin, and then thought of an idea. “I know how we can figure out what else was in my dream, come with me.” Having the Mother and the great owl follow her as she sped down the stairs, Samana had a plan and it would surely work.

  Out on the outermost wall, Amen and Henk sat together. Amen was meditating silently as Henk held her hands on him, one under his chin, and the other on his forehead. She attempted to probe his thoughts, but she could not find anything. All she saw was fruit being sliced, Mensh getting hit with an apple, the usual climbing that Amen did daily, and then to her surprise, several images of herself, which were soon lost, as Samana, the Mother, and Hoosun interrupted her.

  Henk turned to them, as Amen opened his eyes, very aware of their presence. “What is it?” Henk spoke, in a near irate manner.

  Samana apologized for interrupting her and then questioned her before explaining her reason for doing so. “Sorry, Henk, still haven’t been able to find out what happened to Amen before he came here?”

  Henk sighed disappointedly and looked at Amen, who just stared back in silence. “I’m afraid not, Samana. It’s just too deep. I don’t know if we’ll ever find out what made him this way…what do you need now, anyway?”

  Samana explained herself, sitting on the wall battlements as she did. “Well, you know the dreams I’ve been having? Well, I had another last night, and we need to figure out what it was. I forgot a great deal of it, and I bet you could work your magic and find out for us.”

  Henk smiled. She thought it flattering when people recognized her gift, and had a need for it. “Sure I can…uhm…could you explain to me why though?”

  Samana chuckled acceptingly of the request and explained what the Mother and Hoosun had told her.

  After the lecture, Henk put her hands in the same position on Samana, as she did on Amen, and focused. “Now I need you to focus, okay? If you can’t remember it yourself, you’ll need to do this so I can probe your mind a little bit, okay?”

  Smiling helpfully, Samana closed her eyes and thought deeply of concentration as she sat silently as Amen had, the Mother and the owl watching, awaiting the verdict of the query.

  Henk closed her eyes too, and held her hands to Samana’s pale skin, speaking quietly. “Let me see…wait…I think I’ve got it…oh my…what is that?”

  Henk ‘s eyes shot open as she removed her hands to Samana’s awakening, and turned to the Mother and Hoosun, and then back to Samana. “Woah, you’ve been having weird dreams, Samana.” Samana laughed with a light heart. “You have no idea.” Henk smiled and cracked her finger joints, and chuckled. “I do, now.”

  Sitting out on the wall top, Henk explained the dream as the others sat before her like children in a class, hearing and noting every word.

  After the lecture, Henk stood awaiting the verdict of the listeners and sat on the battlements as they thought.

  Producing their thoughts first, Samana spoke. “Well, the first part is obviously just me missing my father and sister…and then the second part seems to be-” The Mother intervened, knowing exactly where Samana was going. “That you somehow serve a purpose to this figure, the Red Wolf. But what could it be?”

  Samana thought hard, and repeated the words in her head that the figure spoke to her. “I will come for you…watch for the eclipse, the light that gave birth to my people, watch…for me.” Thinking hardly of the meaning, Samana came up with nothing, and voiced it clearly to those around her with frustration. “I have no idea what it means. What should we do?”

  The Mother did not know of what the dream meant, besides one thing that was for sure. “This dream means that you have a purpose to carry out, Samana. This demon is supposed to use the flame that the wolves were born from to wreak death upon the world, and create a world for the wolves. Which means this demon will probably try and find one who they are meant to populate their new world with…maybe that is you.”

  Samana’s eyes shot open at the idea, so did Hoosun’s and Henk’s, whil
e Amen just sat emotionless and silent, craning his neck at the prospect as Samana spoke her thoughts on the theory. “What? I mean…that may be it. But I don’t want to do that, I couldn’t. The world shouldn’t die. I…” The Mother placed her hand on Samana’s shoulder, and smiled at her, speaking. “Do not worry, Samana. I would not have you fulfill that purpose, no one would. Instead, you shall fulfill another. The fiery pit that which the wolves came from had a great towering city, Murta Sota, built around it. This was because many thought that wolves may still live in the pit. The eclipse is only but a week away, which means we have very little time to warn those at Murta Sota of the Red Wolf’s coming.”

  Hoosun straightened his spectacles and stood stretching his feathered arms wide as they turned to their winged form. “What do you propose we do, Mother?”

  The Mother looked at her owl friend, and then back to the young Samana, making her proposition. “I propose we tell the people of Murta Sota of the coming eclipse. We already told them long ago of the prophecy, but the ash ridden sky born from the burning pit around them has ruined their sense of days, nights, and time itself. They cannot see the sky for miles around them, let alone any eclipse. They dare not leave their city, because they fear that the one time they do, that the wolves they believe dwell in the pit will rise and kill once more.”

  Henk hopped off of the wall and put her hands to hips as she stood strong, her nose pointed at the Mother. “So, you’re saying that we need to send someone to tell them, and who would that be?”

  The Mother smiled at the young Henk, and placed her hand on Samana. “Our young Samana, if she is up to the challenge. It is her dream, and an extended flight could hold danger for Hoosun, with his injury. It feels right to follow this course.”

  Samana’s eyes grew wider, and she thought about it deeply before giving her answer. Hoosun felt himself gripped with great fear within his heart. He did not wish to have the young Samana, who was as a daughter to him, put into the way of danger, however willing or strong she was.