As the Wolf Howls

by Michael Linford

  ‘I’m just a man though, Grey Moon. What can I do to help? How do you know it’s my destiny to be this leader you talk about?’

  Grey Moon looked out over the river, his old eyes fixed with determination. ‘I see many things, my child. I walk not just through this life but the ones before too. Sometimes a leader misses his chance to right the wrongs because he lacks faith in himself. I have seen this once before and though the evil was stopped, it was never removed for good. I believe that now is the time for the parts to become whole and banish this evil, once and for all. Trust me, you will be the leader. I am ahead of you in this game of fate, yet there is so much I cannot speak of, for you have to discover it for yourself but you will. With your eyes and heart open, you will find your way, trust me.’

  Black Wolf listened intently. A part of him felt a surge of familiarity in what his wise friend was telling him, but he still struggled to make sense of the words through all the riddles.

  ‘You said the fire was the start of my journey, Grey Moon. Can you tell me what it means?’

  ‘The night world is a voyage of discovery that we must walk alone, but I can tell you that I too have seen the fire. My view is from the earth and with the sky west, not north. I was suffering, trapped between two worlds, and a young man set me free. He was too late to stop the fire but he saved more than he knew.’

  Grey Moon leant forward, his head propped silently in his hands in thought. Black Wolf watched as his friend seemed to battle through all sorts of emotions before returning to a state of calm again.

  ‘Do the tribe know my fate? Do they know who I am? Who am I, Grey Moon?’

  Grey Moon was prepared for so many questions from Black Wolf; he expected it and was eager to answer as many as he could. ‘The tribe are waiting for a leader to present himself at some point. They don’t know who it is but are ready for the sign of proof and will follow that person, whoever it is. You know half of who you are, Wolf. It is up to you to find out the rest. You will during your voyage and then the proof is yours to return to our home and lead your men onwards.’

  ‘What is out there, Grey Moon? What am I preparing to face?’

  Grey Moon sighed and once more turned to look Black Wolf in the eyes. ‘A great evil, my child, which has travelled through time, for the four pieces of the puzzle needed to become superior. Whether those pieces are kept or destroyed, if they are brought together then evil will win. Our sky will be starless and the night world will no longer exist. Our mother’s life is at stake.’

  Black Wolf stood up and walked down to the river’s edge. This place was so beautiful that you couldn’t help but think of nature as being feminine. He himself had thought of the forest as a mother to him, but that was tiny compared to the soul of the earth. That was the mother he was meant to save.

  It was late afternoon now and the sun was already slowly falling in the sky. Grey Moon gathered his sack and blanket together while Black Wolf stood staring into the calm waters of the river.

  ‘Let us head back now, Wolf. If you bring the fish, we can eat and then sit by a fire. I feel you have more questions for me and I promise I will try to answer them all.’

  Black Wolf folded up the cloth with the fish in it, tied it and threw it over his shoulder. ‘I have many more questions, old friend, and I can think of no better way to spend this evening than in your company.’

  The two friends set off back through the woods and headed for their camp. They were both silent as they walked together. Grey Moon was enjoying the chance to have time away from the others, while Black Wolf was mulling over all the new information he’d been told. He had a few more questions for Grey Moon but felt that he would have to be alone for a while and work it all out.

  When they got back to the camp, it was starting to get dark. They both ate in their own huts and then, after a short time to settle themselves, they met together again. Grey Moon came over to Black Wolf’s hut and they were soon sat outside, next to a roaring fire. The nights were starting to get cold and the two old friends sat close to the warmth, ready to continue their conversation. It was Black Wolf who spoke first.

  ‘When you gave me my gift, you said you’d been to the great walled city — what were you doing there?’

  ‘I visit the city often, Wolf. They have a healer who performs a great service to the emperor and he needs herbs. Most of the herbs only grow down here on our land though, so I provide them and get things in return, like your book.’

  Black Wolf had many more questions about Orgent but they weren’t important compared to all that was happening. Looking at the fire, Black Wolf asked the first thing which came into his head. ‘What should I do next?’

  Grey Moon threw more wood onto the fire, watching the flames rise and reflect in Black Wolf’s eyes. ‘You must see the night world’s visions and then feel them, for only by feeling them will you truly understand their meaning. Write in the book that I gave you and from the words, more will be revealed to you. You will be leaving here soon and then you will need the skills of the wolf that you are. You will need to track and find, for only when the puzzle is complete can you become what you need to be. Trust me, my friend, more will become apparent to you soon.’

  Black Wolf stared into the fire. He could feel something deep inside him, fighting to get out, and for the first time he felt that maybe he did have a destiny to be fulfilled.

  ‘Why was I named Black Wolf? I see the others and they are all given normal names — why are we so different?’

  Grey Moon again had that sad look in his eyes, the look of memories that still touched him, years later. ‘You were found in the woods by a traveller. He had been trekking across lands for a long time, following a call that leads us to where we are now. When he found you, there was nothing around for a great distance except one sole animal who had seemingly protected you, both day and night. That animal was a large black wolf and when the traveller picked you up to take you to the camp, the wolf bowed his head and simply disappeared into the woods. Our people saw this as a great sign and could think of no better title for you than that of your protector. So you became the Black Wolf.’

  Black Wolf felt the tears sting his eyes; he had never known these things. Always longing to know more about his past but never finding the courage to ask — until now. ‘What about you, Grey Moon? Can you tell me more of your life?’

  Grey Moon poked around in the flames with a stick, watching the sparks fly up and die in the cool night air. ‘One day you will learn more about me, my friend. Now is not the time, but you will, I promise. All I ask is that you never judge me when you hear my tale. Anything I do is with the best intentions and not a moment passes where I don’t wish that some things could be different. This is our life though, Wolf. What we want isn’t always what we get.’

  Black Wolf could sense the sadness in his friend and decided not to push him further, he would find out soon enough. ‘I would never judge you, Grey Moon, I promise. There’s not a soul alive who could judge such a good man as you. I thank you for all your answers today and feel privileged that you are with me on this journey. You are my truest of friends.’

  Grey Moon stood slowly and patted Black Wolf on the shoulder. ‘I thank you for everything, my friend. You make me happier and prouder than I could ever show you. I’m sorry to leave you, but I must sleep now. It’s been a long day and I need my rest; I think now would be a good time for you to lie down too. Let the conversations of today play through your mind and the night world will come calling. Goodnight, dear friend, I will see you in the morning.’

  ‘Goodnight, Grey Moon. Thank you for everything,’ Black Wolf replied, and slowly headed into his hut.

  The camp was thick with smoke from the dying fires that decorated the ground in various places. Grey Moon entered his hut and settled down for the night, his thoughts on the conversations today and those still to come. At the same time Black Wolf settled down too and, pulling the furs over himself, slowly drifted off to sleep.

&nbs
p; CHAPTER 6

  The smell of burning was almost gone now and Majila lifted Esmee from his back and set her down by his feet. They had been trekking for over a day now and Majila was desperate to rest. Esmee had slept a lot on the journey, laid against his broad shoulders, as the rhythm of his walking relaxed her. They had trekked through the forest surrounding the burning remains of their camp, and had made it to the snowy mountains beyond. Majila had needed to rest then, the adrenaline already wearing off and leaving him cold and tired, but the fear of capture had pushed him on. They made their way slowly down the mountains, hidden in the falling snow, carefully manoeuvring over large boulders and round the steepest parts of the rock face.

  Halfway down, he had found a small cave that provided enough shelter to allow them to rest. He had gathered some branches from the snow-covered trees that dotted the mountain and made a cover, so that once they were in the cave no one would notice. From his sack, he removed a small lamp and lit it, giving them both light and a bit more warmth.

  Laying some blankets out, he made a bed for Esmee and motioned for her to lie down. Majila was on his knees and Esmee threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.

  ‘It’s all going to be okay, little one. Tonight we sleep and then tomorrow we walk on again. I will be here by your side all night, don’t worry.’

  Esmee kissed him on the cheek and lay down, while Majila pulled blankets over her and stroked her golden hair. Before long, she was fast asleep and Majila was sat by the entrance to the cave. The night was cloudy and he knew that there would be more snow falling as they slept. He was glad for the safety of the cave and the warmth it provided; it was all that was keeping them alive and safe this night.

  Majila spread out some blankets for himself, next to Esmee, and tried to get some sleep. His thoughts were filled with Aalym. With his eyes shut, he could see her face; her beautiful blue eyes stared straight into his heart, and the pain he felt was so intense it made him ache. The tears rolled down his cheeks until he finally drifted off to sleep.

  In the morning, Majila was woken by Esmee and, after eating, they set off again. The mountains were far more perilous today as the snow was melting under the hot sun, leaving all the paths slippery to walk on.

  All through the journey, Majila’s thoughts returned to the fire and his last look at Aalym. She was his life and without her he knew every day would be a struggle. He knew he had to be strong for Esmee though, so he would be, but in those moments he had to himself the tears would flow. They had been walking for hours when they finally reached the foothills of the mountains. Majila stopped to rest; in the distance, he could see buildings. From where he stood, it looked like a small city with a monastery looming above everything else. His spirits rose and he started forward again.

  ‘Not long now, Esmee my love. We will have food and shelter. We will be safe, I promise you.’

  Majila hoped that this was true as he started walking towards the city. Esmee held his shoulders tight, her green eyes lit up and she smiled as she spoke one word: ‘Safe.’

  CHAPTER 7

  Black Wolf awoke early, his mind racing with his dream. He reached for his box and pulled out the journal that Grey Moon had given him. Using a piece of charcoal, he quickly wrote down everything about the dream that he could recall. Just like the fire, this was so vivid that he was certain it must mean something. He had to see Grey Moon, but didn’t want to wake him too early, so he decided to get himself ready for the day and then set out to speak to his friend.

  Grey Moon was already awake in his hut; he too had dreamt during the night and had woken early to plan for the journey he’d soon be taking. Grey Moon spoke to the spirits alone in his hut; he needed to know what was happening, because his dream had shaken him so much. His hut was filled with smoke from the herbs he was burning, the sweet scent filling his nose and heightening all of his senses. He clutched his ancient beads and rocked slowly, chanting a language long forgotten since the days of old. Slowly, words and visions appeared to him as the spirits guided his every move. The words came out of Grey Moon’s mouth without any effort on his behalf:

  ‘There is a great danger present. Its cloak of darkness surrounds the wall of man. The fate of one power is out of your hands but they will find you. Only then can you search for the other half. He must be told the mark of his creation but very little else. You are wise, Grey Moon, and all you have seen alone is true. He who is of you, starts and ends the circle.’

  Then the words were gone and Grey Moon opened his eyes. The thick smoke funnelled into a line and was sucked backwards towards the burning herbs, extinguishing the flame the moment they touched it. Then the hut was empty, and not even a hint of the smoke’s beautiful smell remained. He would sit with Black Wolf and make the plans that were needed. This journey was starting today.

  Black Wolf turned over the dream in his mind as he made it to Grey Moon’s hut. He felt close to understanding the pieces of the puzzle but still so far from solving it. Grey Moon was covering his hut just as Black Wolf arrived.

  ‘Morning, my friend, we have lots to plan today. If we go to the shelter of the woods we can talk in private without any risk of disturbance.’

  Black Wolf agreed, so together they headed off to the woods.

  ‘I had another vision last night, Grey Moon. The fire was all but gone and I was trekking. I had a child with me and we were headed for safety together. I felt it was the next part of my story, if that makes sense?’

  Black Wolf was embarrassed at speaking so profoundly but it was the only way he could explain what he had seen in his sleep.

  ‘It makes perfect sense, my child. You have also taken the first step to understanding these visions too; you have put yourself in the centre. It is through your eyes that you see and now the story can flow more easily.’

  Grey Moon smiled to himself; he could feel that his young friend was learning quickly.

  ‘I’ve never dreamt like that before. The landscape and the situation seems familiar to me but in a strange way. Like being told a story as an old man and recognising it vaguely from childhood. I don’t know who I am in the dream but the child’s face I cannot seem to forget, even when I’m awake. Is she haunting me?’

  Grey Moon shook his head, still smiling. ‘We haunt ourselves, my friend. Nothing more, nothing less. You are very close to realising the most important part of your dreams and I’m sure you will find the rest easily enough. Keep writing and in the moments of reflection, use your senses and find what feels right. Remember, nothing has to be proven for it to be true. We live surrounded by many truths that are hidden within fables. You are doing well, so try not to get disheartened. Keep breathing and trust in what your heart knows is true.’

  Black Wolf was deep in thought and before he knew it, they had reached a small clearing in the woods. Huge trees stood round in a circle, like guards on duty, and in the centre of the clearing was a big hollowed-out tree stump. Half was filled with moss and leaves, leaving the top open to the elements. Black Wolf looked around and fought back the rising emotions as he spoke: ‘Is this where I was found as a child?’

  Grey Moon looked into the tree stump. His brow creased as he seemed to get lost for a moment, staring into the deep, empty space. ‘Yes, my child. This is where you came from when you were brought to the camp. It was snowing that night and the traveller walked out of the woods with you in his arms. The world around looked grey, except for your deep brown eyes. I thought this would be a good place to talk. You entered our camp from here and this will be the last place we sit before leaving here tomorrow. It seemed fitting to draw the circle.’

  Black Wolf looked around at everything in amazement, trying to imagine the huge surroundings from a child’s view. He looked carefully at the tree stump and could see the claw marks that the wolf had left behind when it stood protecting him. He placed his palm over the prints and tears welled up in his eyes. His family, all here. The woods serving as his mother and a wolf, his father. He felt lo
st and found in this same moment. He was ready to find his destiny.

  Grey Moon had laid down a rug for them and Black Wolf sat, his back resting against the tree stump. The sense of pride he finally felt from seeing this place gave him more strength than ever before.

  ‘I need to talk to you about the mark of your creation and I thought this place would be the most natural setting for our discussions.’ Grey Moon grew serious as he worked through just how much he should tell Black Wolf and how much he had to discover alone.

  ‘I have heard this mentioned in old fables, but never has it been explained to me, Grey Moon.’

  ‘As I said earlier, Wolf, lots of truths lie hidden behind fables. The mark of your creation is something that all people have. Our elders believe it to be the wound by which you left your last world and appears on your skin as you enter the next. No one is sure why, but our ancestors believed it to be a sort of spiritual gift to remind us all that we’ve existed before. They also believed that the powers, which have always existed, are special. The mark of creation has an even greater meaning for the chosen ones, and the leader of men.’