Of Wolf And Witch

by S. A. McGarey

  “Tempting… very tempting, but no. I think I’ll keep her.”

  “What purpose does that serve?”

  “You really are thick, wolf,” Selene spoke. “Killing you would bring satisfaction, but to leave you alive and take everything from you? That would be exquisite.”

  “You already took my family, what more can you take?” Duncan tried to bluff.

  “Oh, wolf. If I could have taken your Asha from you, I would have. Unfortunately the Sanguine beat me to it. I can, however, take this woman from you.”

  Duncan wanted to bluff. He wanted to say that she didn’t mean anything to him. But he couldn’t bear to do so. He had to admit to himself that she did mean something to him. Their first tryst opened up that possibility, and every moment between them since had confirmed it. He cared for her, more than he ever thought he might.

  “Let her go. Take me.” Duncan said the only thing he could muster.

  “No, wolf. You will live. I will break you by taking everything from you. And then, and only then, you will crawl before me and beg to die. Even then, you will not leave this world. You will serve me, wolf. I created you and I will lord over you for eternity. Only when you lie broken and useless to me, will I ever permit you to perish.”

  “Please…” Duncan pleaded.

  Selene shook her head and laughed ever so slightly. “No,” she whispered, sliding the Blacksteel Dagger across Ravenna’s neck.

  Blood began to flow from the wound, and Ravenna fell to the ground. She was dying. Duncan was in shock but quickly gathered himself. Selene hurt her. Selene sentenced her to death. Selene wouldn’t survive the next 5 minutes if Duncan had anything to say about it.

  “No!” Duncan yelled. “No! No! No!” his yells became a monstrous roar.

  Duncan lost control. The wolf was in charge now, and he was mad. Duncan growled and charged at Selene, sidestepping her magic and pouncing at her. With his bare hands, he clawed at her, trying to rip out her eyes like an untrained savage. She shot fire at him, but the burns did not faze him. She tried to manipulate time itself to slow him down, but he simply shook it off. He punched, kicked, and clawed at the witch. He grabbed her by the hair and forced her to the ground, dragging her face across the frozen dirt.

  “Suffer not the witch to live!” Duncan yelled with a savage voice.

  He reached out and gripping each of Selene’s wrists. Then, in one swift movement, he broke them, making her unable to cast magic from her hands. He stood over her, growling. The wolf was in full control now. Selene was in massive pain. She trembled before Duncan’s wolf spirit.

  “You’re so strong. I never dreamed I could make something as powerful as you.”

  “You. Die. Here,” the words left his mouth as more of a growl than actual speech.

  “It doesn’t matter, wolf. I’ve already won. I made you lose control. I took what you care most about. I won. It doesn’t matter what happens now.”

  Duncan stepped on her throat and snapped her neck under his weight. Selene died choking on her own laughter.

  The wolf receded and he conjured up flames. He began to burn the body, letting his thoughts of Ravenna fuel the fire.

  “Ravenna!”

  Duncan quickly set the body ablaze and then rushed to Ravenna’s side. She was curled up on the ground, blood pouring from her throat. Duncan called out to her and tried to use the healing spell she had taught him, but it did not work. Deep inside, he knew that it was too late. The wound was too grave and would not knit back together. Duncan’s magic had grown stronger in recent days but was still not enough to save her.

  “Ravenna!” He cried out. “I’m so sorry,” he began to whisper to her. “It was all my fault. I couldn’t save you. I never expected it to happen this way. I never expected you to die. I never expected… to love you.”

  Duncan had never said it out loud before, but he knew that he meant it as soon as he said it.

  “It’s true, Ravenna. I loved you. I think I loved you before I knew I loved you. That’s why the wolf was so angry when she killed you. It lost its mate. I lost my mate. Wolves mate forever, Ravenna. You told me that wolves mate forever, and we were mates, ever since that night in Dawn. You were my mate, and I loved you.”

  A single tear fell from Duncan’s eye before he gave up composure and began to sob. He threw himself over Ravenna’s cold naked body. Duncan’s pendant began to glow, but before Duncan even noticed, he fell into a dream.

  “Duncan,” A voice called out to him.

  “Duncan.”

  “Duncan!”

  His eyes shot open. His surroundings were gone, replaced by none other than the home of Asha, back in Frostfall. It was precisely how he remembered it. He saw a figure, a woman. She was the only person around as if only her and Duncan existed. Duncan rose and walked towards her. She turned to look at him, and it became clear. Asha stood before him. Asha, as she was before the Sanguine attack.

  “Asha,” Duncan said. “You can’t be here… you died.”

  “I still exist within you,” she said cryptically.

  “Am I dead?” Duncan asked.

  “No, you are simply dreaming.”

  “Why are you here?” Duncan asked her.

  “I’m here to tell you that it’s ok. I know what you did with Ravenna, and it’s ok.”

  “No. It can’t be ok. I betrayed you”

  “You didn’t betray me. You can’t betray the dead. I want you to be happy in life, Duncan. If that means you find someone else, then that is completely fine and good,” Asha explained.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Duncan broke down. “Ravenna is dead. I’ve lost her,” he began remembering the scene in the woods.

  “Do you know why I gave you that pendant?”

  “To ward off small amounts of magic. It was a gift.”

  “Yes, but there is more to it. When I got it for you, the merchant selling it told me a legend about pendants such as that. He said that they can bring back someone from death itself. It doesn’t work for just anyone. The person with the pendant can revive someone that they deeply, truly love. I was such a sucker for the story that I got it for you. If nothing else, it was a nice thought that you might save me if something happened.”

  “But something did happen. Why didn’t it do anything?”

  “Maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. I know you loved me, Duncan, but I see your feelings for Ravenna and they are stronger than anything we had.”

  Duncan was confused. He always thought he had loved Asha more than anything. Nonetheless, she was right. He cried more when Ravenna died than when Asha did. His feelings for her were stronger.

  “Duncan, it’s ok to move on.”

  “I… thank you, Asha.”

  “You were going to say you love me, but I’m telling you now. Save that love for Ravenna. She deserves it more than me.”

  Asha began to fade, and then Duncan could feel the cold of the woods again. He awoke in the Hoarfrost Woods, over Ravenna’s lifeless body. The pendant still glowed and Duncan pulled it off his neck. He held it near to Ravenna.

  “Please… please come back to me,” he whispered.

  The light from the pendant glowed brighter and brighter before the pendant shattered. Ravenna’s throat wound healed up and she began to breathe lightly. She was alive, but without shelter and treatment, she may not last long. She had lost much blood, and the cold would claim her if Duncan didn’t do something. Duncan wrapped her up in her clothing, quickly dressed, and carried her, using his wolven stamina to run ceaselessly to a place that could treat her. He didn’t stop running until he reached the town of Wyvernwing.

  Chapter 20

  She awoke in a strange place. The room was warm from the crackling fire in the fireplace. She hadn’t remembered falling asleep. She had no clue how she got to this place, wherever this place was. She began to stir, her eyes opening and closing.

  “Ravenna!”

  Duncan was there, beside the bed in which she lay. He looked over
joyed to see her. She racked her brain, trying to remember how she came to be here, but the last thing she remembered was a dagger, black as night, held to her throat. Instinctively, her hand went to her throat, examining it. There was no scar, no inkling that anything had happened.

  “Duncan. Where am I?”

  He knelt beside the bed. “You’re in Wyvernwing.”

  “What happened? How did I get here?” she questioned. “The last thing I remember was Selene holding the Blacksteel dagger to my throat. Wait... Selene. What happened to Selene? Where is that witch?”

  “Slow down, Ravenna,” Duncan tried to calm her down. “I brought you here. Selene... she killed you with that dagger. The moment it happened, I lost all control. The wolf took over, and with its power, I ended the life of the witch.”

  “I... died?”

  “For a time, yes. Life had left your body. I tried to heal you, but I wasn’t strong enough.”

  “How am I alive, then?”

  Duncan explained what had happened with the pendant and the dream of Asha. Ravenna was confused but accepted it at face value. Even Duncan had to admit it heard strange, and he had born witness to it.

  “So, I came back, and then you brought me here?”

  “Yes. I picked up your body and ran. I ran the whole way here from the woods and didn’t stop for anything. The innkeeper here remembered us from the Frost Dragon attack, so he gave me the room for as long as necessary. We’ve been in Wyvernwing for about two days, and it took most of a day to get you here. My wolven side gave me the stamina and speed to make it here quickly”

  “I’ve been out for three days then. No wonder I'm starving,” Ravenna noticed her hunger.

  “I thought that might be the case. I had this made for you.”

  Duncan presented a tray of food. There was a bowl of eggs and cheese, some pieces of bread, what looked like fresh bacon, and a mug filled to the brim with milk. Ravenna’s eyes lit up and she immediately began to eat and drink.

  “Ravenna. There’s something I need to tell you.”

  She looked up from her food. “What is it?”

  “I don’t know the best way to say it, so I'll just say it,” Duncan started out. “I... I love you, Ravenna. I didn’t realize that’s what it was until it was nearly too late, but it’s true. You give me something more to live for, more than just hunting monsters. You make my fire stronger than anything else. I was guilty at first, but now I know that it’s ok to move on. Ravenna, I love you, and I’d like to stay with you if you’ll have me.”

  A small tear fell from Ravenna’s eye. “You really mean it, Duncan?”

  Duncan made an X over his heart. “Cross my heart.”

  Ravenna moved her food aside and pulled Duncan close. She kissed him full on the lips, hard.

  “Of course I’ll have you. I went from not liking you and not trusting you to loving you and trusting you with my very life and ultimately mating with you. I can tell you truly care. How could I ever turn you away?”

  “You made me realize that magic isn’t evil, and the people that use it aren’t inherently evil either. There are bad people, but not all witches are bad. You showed me that. You changed me, Ravenna. You made me better, through all of your actions, whether you were helping people or teaching me. You made me better.” Duncan said before returning the kiss.

  “Duncan, I know you still feel for Asha, and I want you to know that it’s ok. You never really forget your first love. I understand if you have trouble ever letting go.”

  “Asha is gone,” Duncan said flatly. “My love is for you and you alone.”

  They kissed again, and the kiss lasted a long while.

  “We can stay here a few more days until you get your strength back,” Duncan said.

  “I think I could use it after our adventure.”

  “Any idea about how you want to spend the time?” Duncan asked her.

  “I think I have a few ideas,” Ravenna winked at him.

  Duncan smiled and kissed her again.

  “Would you like to come live with me?” he asked her without really thinking.

  “You want me to live in your home and spend each day with you? I thought you’d never ask.”

  “Beats going back to the old shack in the woods.”

  “True,” she said “But a house doesn’t make a home. Home is where your heart lives, and my heart lives with you.

  Duncan climbed into the large bed beside Ravenna, and she laid her head on Duncan’s chest, finally being truly at peace for the first time since they met. There was no witch to hunt, no monster to kill. There was the two of them, and that was perfect

  Chapter 21

  They entered the tavern called the Drunken Imp about midday, after a few days of journeying from Wyvernwing to Frostfall. Greham sat in the same place Duncan had left him when he went to hunt the witch. It was almost as if he had not moved at all. He smelled strongly of alcohol. Duncan and Ravenna approached him. He was drinking his sixth drink of the day and had no plans of stopping anytime soon.

  “Contract is done. Selene is dead,’ Duncan affirmed.

  “Duncan, my boy!” Greham slurred. “You bring me proof?”

  “I burned her body to ash. Nothing of Selene survived.”

  “No proof, no payment,” he stated.

  “Don’t back out on our deal, Greham. I killed that whorish witch that you ran off with. You should be thankful that I didn’t kill you too.”

  “You wouldn’t kill your own father.”

  Duncan punched him hard in the jaw, dropping him to the floor. “You are not my father. My father’s name was John Frey, and he was more of a man than you could ever be.”

  Greham held a hand to his jaw, which was throbbing in pain. Duncan was strong and the pain would likely remain for most of the day. He spat out a tooth and staggered back to his feet. Duncan’s fist connected with his gut, dropping him back to the floor. Standing over Greham, Duncan reached into Greham’s pocket and pull out a bag of coin. It wasn’t much, but it would have to do. He pocketed the coin and turned to walk away.

  “I never want to see you again,” Duncan said. “You ever contact me, or cross my path again, you’ll be choking on your last words as I impale you on my blade.”

  “Duncan, you can’t do this. We’re family!”

  Duncan ignored him, placing a few coins on the bar. “Two Frostfall Ales.”

  The tavernmaster poured two drinks and handed them to Duncan. He turned to leave with Ravenna.

  “Duncan!” Greham shouted, still on the ground.

  Duncan ignored him, walking outside with Ravenna. Greham stood as they left, and ordered another drink.

  “No more for you until you pay up.” The tavernmaster said.

  Greham realized Duncan had taken all his money. He couldn’t pay for all the drinks he’d racked up that day.

  “My son... he took my money.”

  “The way I hear it, he isn’t your son. And we don’t take kindly to bums around here.”

  The tavernmaster beckoned the man standing in the corner. He was big and burly and was the type of man you hoped you never had to fight.

  “This is Gregor. You can settle your bill with him.”

  Gregor picked up Greham and took him out back behind the Drunken Imp. His screams of pain and protest became lost among the sounds of the city of Frostfall.

  Outside the tavern, Duncan and Ravenna drank their ales. “He’s still family, Duncan,” Ravenna said.

  “No, he stopped being family a long time ago.”

  “So, this John Frey?”

  “My adoptive father. He took me in when I was just a child. He was a blacksmith from Winterport. He happened to be in Frostfall when I lost my family. He trained me, raised me. Made me the man I am. He was a good man. He made a good living making swords.”

  “Sounds like a good man. What happened to him?”

  “He died,” Duncan admitted. “Not long after Asha. I knew it was coming though. He had been sick for
a while and I knew he wouldn’t be around forever.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s ok. He left me everything. His home, his forge, everything. I sometimes make money by smithing when I’m not hunting, and I still live in that old house. It’s different without him, but it’s home.”

  “So you don’t have any family left, do you?”

  “No, but it’s ok,” Duncan smiled. “You’re all the family I’ll ever need.”

  That made Ravenna smile. Together, they finished drinking, and then left Frostfall behind, heading for Winterport, the place that Duncan called home.

  Epilogue

  In the small waterside village of Winterport, a year after Duncan returned home from his witch hunt, a ceremony was being held. The whole town was in attendance. A priest from the local temple stood by the water. Next to him was Duncan Frey, dressed in the most elegant thing he owned. In truth, he only owned one set of really nice clothes. He had planned to wear them when he was to wed Asha, but things didn’t pan out that way. Duncan thought the clothes were nice if a little stuffy to wear. At least they still got to be used for their intended purpose.

  In the distance, a woman approached. She was dressed in an elegant dwarven-made gown that accentuated her breasts and showed off her womanly figure. It was a perfect fit that required no alterations. She wore a royal blue veil that matched the gown over her face. She walked towards Duncan and the priest near the water.

  The people of Winterport began to gather around as the woman approached. Duncan nervously checked his pocket. The ring was still there, where he had put it when he got dressed. It was the fifth time he’d checked on it, but it hadn’t moved from its spot. Duncan was thankful for that. He’d never forgive himself if he lost the ring.

  The woman reached Duncan and stood beside him. Duncan reached out and lifted the veil. Ravenna’s icy blue eyes stared upon him. Her eyes got darker by the minute, morphing into the same royal blue color as the gown. Duncan took this as a sign that she was happy. That made him glad, as he was happy too.

  The priest nodded to Duncan, as the signal to begin the ceremony. Duncan began to speak.