by Owen Black
Suddenly the creature emitted a deafening roar and charged down the walkway that split the classroom. The startled children screamed and only fueled his fright and quickened his pace.
Without hesitation, Javan plowed through the back wall of the classroom, sending shards of wood in all directions. The galloping beast plunged into the outer courtyard, nearly running over two men that were on the other side.
“Watch where you’re going!” one of the men yelled.
Just before he was about to smash into a small shop across from the school, Javan realized his actions and changed back into his human form. Unfortunately for his skull it was not in time to prevent the collision and, with a resounding thud, the boy ran smack into the wall and fell in a heap. He sat dazed for a moment as the dirt began to settle, along with his thoughts.
Javan’s eyes began to tear up, mainly from fright and embarrassment but also provoked by the large bump that had begun to swell atop his head and the ache that accompanied it.
The two men that he had ambushed rushed to help him to his feet. “Ah, I bet they are teaching the new ones how to morph,” a tall, sandy-haired man said.
“Looks like it,” the other replied. “Perhaps the Lady could let us know in advance so we can stay clear of the school!”
The men chuckled while they dusted Javan off and looked him over for damage.
“You are certainly a tough lad,” the taller man said. “Don’t fret. You will be just fine.”
Javan looked over at the hole he had freshly made in the school wall and the laughing children that gazed out from inside.
The tall man combed Javan’s ruffled hair with his fingers and then turned the boy’s dusty face to his own, capturing his attention. “Some day you will be protecting them and they will look up to you. Hold your head high. We need you.”
Javan was confused by the words but replied with a nod. Gathering his dignity, he slowly made his way back to the classroom.
***
It took several minutes but eventually calm was restored. After the children returned to their seats Lady Trussil resumed her lecture, this time with a stern look on her face.
“Those of you who laughed at Javan should be ashamed of yourselves. There was a time when you all were like him – confused and unsure of how to control it.” She paused and focused her eyes on the most guilty of her students before she continued, “Now when we morph it is very important to maintain awareness of who we are and where we are since the transformation process is quite taxing on the mind. In time, and with practice, the process will speed up and flow much smoother. Adults can generally morph in an instant.”
Javan, still a bit uncomfortable due to his lack of knowledge, stopped rubbing his sore head and raised his hand.
“Yes Javan, what is it dear?” Trussil asked.
“So how did I wind up like that when my parents are an elephant and a moose?” When some children around him giggled he added, “I mean, their animal forms are.”
“Very good question,” Trussil replied with a smile. She chose her words carefully. “Well, that can be tricky because when two people of different animal morphs mate the animal form of their children is uncertain. This is obviously not as tricky when the parents are of the same kind. Teop’s parents, for example, are both elephant morphs and thus he too is an elephant.”
A heavy, round-faced boy with dark hair grinned widely when he heard his name. Lady Trussil smiled at him and once again looked over the faces of her students, fairly certain that she had bewildered a few of the younger children.
“Ok class,” she said, anxious to move on, “I think it’s time to head out to the fields and practice what we have talked about.” A wave of excitement filled the classroom and Trussil raised her voice. “Everyone follow me out and please try to stay orderly. No morphing until we get to the fields or we are coming back!”
After gathering her students Trussil led them through the double doors at the front of the room and down the dirt road that ran through the center of the village. Along the way they passed by a small bakery that filled the air with the mouth-watering smell of fresh breads, momentarily disrupting the order of the group. A few children ran and peered inside an open window, hoping to see what treats were being prepared.
With a few firm words, Trussil gathered the group back together and then led them past a collection of shops and small gardens and finally to the edge of the village. They stopped at a giant wooden gate that served as the portal in and out of Avryndale, the only opening in the massive stone wall that encircled the village.
Several guards were standing watch on planks atop the wall, a comforting feeling to the villagers who relied on them for safety. The guards wore blue tunics emblazoned with the golden crest of Avryndale, a ram’s head surrounded by a number of small paw-prints of various animals. They were armed with various weapons, mostly bows, swords and spears.
An extraordinarily tall and thin black-haired guard who was standing near the gate approached the convoy heading his way and bowed to the teacher. “Good day Lady Trussil. Taking the children out?”
“Good day to you as well Dugan. Why yes, if it is safe I would love to. Might you join us?”
“Certainly my lady!” he replied happily. It was no secret that he was fond of her. “That would be splendid. We haven’t seen any sign of trouble for quite some time now. It should be safe just outside the walls.”
Dugan motioned to two guards standing watch on the wall. They quickly began turning a crank that was attached by a rope to the top of the gate. The sound of creaking wood filled the air as the gate slowly rose up and allowed them to pass.
Led by Dugan and their teacher, the caravan of children approached the opening, anxious to reach the majestic countryside they so deeply treasured.
A sturdy, dark-skinned guard stood in front of the gate as they approached. He peered out into the distance, his trained eyes warily searching for signs of unrest.
Dugan smiled and patted the huge man on the shoulder as they passed him. “We are going to go play Semu,” he said. “If you decide to join us you are most welcome.”
Semu shook his head as if annoyed by the proposition. The children increased their pace as they walked by the menacing guard, frightened by his size and the occasional growl he emitted as they looked up at him. He had never been accused of being fond of children.
As the group entered the fields surrounding Avryndale, the breathtaking surroundings that circled their village warmed Trussil’s eyes. The village was positioned atop a large hill, providing a picturesque view of the rolling countryside around them. Golden crop fields and lush green pastures extended out in the distance and were being tended by a number of farmhands, both animal and man. Far to the west, a series of snow-topped jagged mountain peaks pierced the sky, a beautiful sight that also served to protect them from predators.
“It never stops stealing my thoughts,” Trussil said to Dugan.
“Nor mine,” he agreed. “I will never forget when we arrived. What a magnificent day.”
Trussil and Dugan had arrived with the original settlers and memories of the journey were still fresh. Led by Avryn, they had migrated for nearly two months, losing many along the way to the harsh winter and constant attacks by predators. The caravan had struggled through the vast, dry desert to the southwest and then the spectacular yet treacherous Bluemist Mountains. They eventually arrived at a warm, green peninsula, naturally hidden from predators and offering plentiful resources to sustain their lives for years to come. By a stroke of luck Avryn had discovered the area on a trek several years prior and he was indeed correct that it would be an ideal location for their new village.
For those that had survived the journey, they were rewarded with a place more amazing than they could have dreamed. Unfortunately most that had learned of Avryn’s journey were reluctant to leave their homes, forcing the original founders of Avryndale to leave countless friends and loved ones behind. This common sorrow helped form a bo
nd between them, something that never seemed to fade.
A cool breeze wandered in from the north and prompted Trussil to pull her cloak tighter. Although the air in the region had a chilling bite it was also somewhat refreshing, especially to an Avian like herself.
Looking over her students, she watched as the order that they had managed to maintain quickly fell apart. With cheers and laughter they scattered about the tall grasses, some rolled and tumbled, others twirled about and watched the other students take shape with interest.
Thane wasted no time. He quickly morphed into a glistening white horse and galloped across the expanse before him.
Trussil, well aware of the boy’s habit for straying a bit too far, cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled after him, “Thane! Slow down and stay close!”
The other children likewise morphed into their animal forms, some faster than others, while a few struggled with the change.
“That’s quite a collection you have there,” Dugan said as he looked over the group.
Trussil grinned and gazed out at her students. She quickly spotted Mephitis, who was doing his best to find a willing playmate. Life was more difficult for skunks, especially the young who at times lacked control of their odiferous defenses.
The afternoon passed without incident - even the typical scuffles among the students were at a minimum. Satisfied with how they day had unfolded, Trussil was about to call the children to order when she felt a slight tug on her dress. She looked down and spotted a small, black-haired girl with large piercing blue eyes staring up at her. It was Larissa, one of the newcomers and she was clearly out of breath.
“Hi sweetie,” Trussil said. “Is everything ok? Do you need someone to play with?”
“Lady Trussil!” the girl gasped. “I saw a bird in the trees. A funny one like you said to tell you about.”
Concern instantly gripped Trussil and she lowered herself down in front of the young girl. “Where honey, where did you see it? Is it gone?”
Trussil watched anxiously as the girl raised her arm and pointed far into the distance, across the fields where a line of trees stood that marked the beginning of the Bluemist Forest.
The girl frowned. “It was there, sitting on a branch in one of the trees. I don’t see it now. It must have flown off.”
Trussil squinted and peered into the distance. Her eyesight was more keen than most but the girl was one of the few in the village with even better vision, a trait inherited from her animal form.
“It was there,” the girl said. “I know I saw it. Long neck and a fat body – one of the bad ones you told us to look for.”
As if the child had spoken the very words that would call forth Death himself, fear shot through Trussil’s heart. She grabbed the girl by the shoulders. “Listen honey. Are you sure what you saw? Big wings tucked up high? Large curved beak?”
The girl, now visibly shaken, nodded her head.
“Everyone!” Trussil yelled. “We have to go - now!” She then began gathering the students at a frantic pace.
Dugan ran to Trussil. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Larissa saw a vulture. Help me get them together.”
Dugan scowled and looked to the sky. “A vulture? Out here?”
“Sounds like it,” Trussil replied, then gestured to the distance with her eyes. “She saw it in the tree line out that way.”
“Alright, hurry along,” the guard said. “I will get Semu and we’ll go check it out.”
Before heading back to the village Trussil took one last look into the trees. Something was out there, hiding in the canopy of darkness, peering at them with hungry eyes. She could feel it.
Chapter 2
Thane stirred as the rising sun penetrated his room. A look of confusion appeared on his face then slowly vanished when the dream that had been dancing through his mind fell to reality. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around.
His bedroom was small but tidy and mostly occupied by a sturdy bed and a simple writing desk. The walls were barren with the exception of a carving of a powerful horse that hung above the bed. Lady Trussil had given it to him as a gift a few years back and it was one of his favorite things. He frequently drifted off to sleep gazing up at it, longing to grow and take the shape of the powerful figure the carving depicted.
Thane kicked at the blanket that covered him, tossing it off the end of the bed as he stretched his legs and gathered the strength to get up. He liked school but, like most children, there just always seemed to be something else he would rather do.
A sharp pain suddenly erupted in his head. He groaned and kicked his legs while his fingers rubbed his temples, anxious for relief. Headaches had become common but this one was the worst yet.
The door to his room suddenly flew open and his father briskly walked in. Avryn was of medium height and build with shoulder-length brown hair and a thick beard that partially concealed a sturdy, but handsome, face. He was dressed in his formal attire that included a blue tunic similar to the guards, emblazoned with the symbol of Avryndale. His pants and shoes were made of finely woven brown cloth and at his side was a long sheathed sword. His concern was obvious.
“What is it Thane?” he asked. “Another nightmare?”
As the pain began to fade Thane wiped the tears that had formed in his eyes away. “No. My head again. This one was really bad.”
Avryn frowned. Although headaches were certainly not a rare occurrence, the frequency of Thane’s episodes had become disturbing.
Thane sat up in his bed, trying to be strong in the presence of his father, and sniffled. “It’s ok now. I’m fine.”
Avryn placed his hand on the disheveled blonde locks atop his son’s head and ruffled his unkempt hair. “You’re a tough one. You got that from your mother.”
Thane grinned and the memory of the pain he had felt disappeared. He noticed the sword at his father’s side and his smile quickly vanished. “Is that because of the vulture?”
“Oh no,” Avryn replied. “Everything is fine. We’re training today. That’s all.”
“Can I come watch?” Thane asked. “I really want to learn to use a sword.”
Thane realized an opportunity had presented itself. There was no doubt that he had mastered the art of begging and the pitiful look that formed on his face nearly melted his father’s heart.
Avryn smiled down at the boy and looked around the room, planning to change the subject. He spotted the chair that Thane had moved in front of his window. He laughed.
“I think we need to just get you another chair for your window,” Avryn said. “Trussil mentioned that you spend more time gazing out the window than at your books.” He then walked over and looked through the opening, trying to understand the thoughts of his son. “Don’t you ever get tired of just gazing out there? You can’t see much beyond the village walls any way.”
“No, I guess not,” Thane replied as he stood up and stretched his arms above his head. With the skill of a seasoned performer he then lowered his head and sulked, still clinging to the hope of getting out of school for a day.
“Oh alright,” Avryn said. “That’s enough pouting. I was going to let you come to the arena with me today any way.” He watched as Thane’s face lit with excitement. “Between your mother and Trussil I will never hear the end of it so I hope you appreciate this.”
“What about school? Will it be ok?” Just as the words left his mouth Thane wished he had not said anything. He closed his eyes and grimaced. Keep your mouth shut you idiot.
Avryn chuckled. “We’ll tell them you are taking a holiday. Besides, I am worried about those headaches. I can keep an eye on you this way.” He turned and walked toward the bedroom door. “You get dressed and I will go deal with your mother. We need to leave soon.”
***
The smile that was frozen on Thane’s face had lasted all the way to the training grounds that were located along the western edge of the village. It was a special day and Thane planned to sa
vor every moment of it. His father had even let him carry his sword, although he had to keep the blade in its sheath.
As they approached the entrance to the arena Thane could feel his heart thump with excitement. He swallowed hard and looked upon the tall wooden fence that stood before him. An impressive wall, it was accessible only through two sturdy doors that were watched by a wiry, but very alert, guard that stood in front.
Like Thane, the children of Avryndale all longed to see the weaponry and fighting on display in the training grounds and they frequently sat along the fence, listening to the sounds that spilled forth from inside. There were even a few spots in the wall where they could get a look although the guards would usually run them off after a quick glance.
The people of Avryndale did not take fighting lightly. In fact, most despised it. The timid nature of the majority of the animal forms of the villagers frequently translated to their human side as well. Self-defense was nonetheless an important aspect of survival, although hiding their training behind walls helped satisfy their pacifist nature.
Avryn reached for his sword and, after a brief hesitation, Thane handed the blade back to its rightful owner. Avryn carefully tied the scabbard back to his belt and gave it a good tug.
The arena guard, a short and skinny man with gray hair and a long mustache, cleared his throat and spoke, “Good morning sire. We wondered what was keeping you.”
Avryn grinned. “I brought a new recruit today. I got tied up dealing with his mother. He’s a bit thin but certainly swift of foot and tongue.”
Thane was not amused but he did manage to fake a smile.
The guard laughed and then banged his fist on the door closest to him. “Open up!”
The sound of a latch being pulled rang out and a loud creaking sound filled the air. The doors slowly opened outward, revealing a pair of guards that were pushing them open to allow entry.
Avryn glanced at Thane as they entered the huge arena-like structure. The boy’s mouth was agape as he looked from side to side, taking in the sights that he had never been permitted to see. Thane jumped when the doors closed behind him.