I lay in my bed for the remainder of the day, I opened my eyes every so often to see where the sun was. Counting down hours until my trial began, time seemed to be moving much slower than usual. I stood from my bed and put my furs on quickly. Anything is better than laying here doing nothing. I grabbed my bow and quiver with intentions to practice aim. When I opened my door I saw nothing but fire, the whole village burning, charred corpses littering the ground. I dropped my weapons and ran toward the village center, fire roared out of the houses as some began to collapse. I felt tears run down my face as I ran seeing burnt corpses of was once my family village.
As I reached the village center I saw my father laying on the ground, with a sword in his gut. I fell to my knees next to his body. The pain in my chest was worse than the brand I received not long ago. I raised my head, tears flowing like a river to see a man standing across from me. However he wasn't just a man, his left half was pitch black with a piercing red eye and what looked like daggers at the end of his hand. His right half looked human, glaring at me with tears flowing as much as my own. He looked like an older version of me, long silver hair and emerald eyes with the same wolf brand as mine over his heart. His head tilted slightly as it walked toward me. His black arm bolted from him reaching out and grabbing me by the neck lifting me from the ground and pulling me to him. The human half of this man was fixated on me. As I came to his face his mouth opened whispering. "You are forever, mine."
I woke up to my father holding my arms yelling my name. I sprang up and hugged him tight, as he hugged me back he spoke softly. "What did you see Ysellian?" I shook at the thought of it, the village, the man, was that me? I let go and sat at the edge of my bed as he sat in his chair across from me near the firepit. "I saw the village on fire, you dead, and a man who looked like me only." I stopped and shook my head, my father looked at me with very steady eyes. I realized I was sweating heavily, i looked down at my bed to see sweat dripping from the sides. I looked up to my father with fear running through my heart. "What was that father, it was only a dream right!?"
He stood from his chair and made his way to sit next to me. "You have been gifted a vision Ysellian, they are not always what happens but it is a possibility that this will transpire." I felt the blood leave my face and my heart sink. "These visions are granted after you receive the mark of the hunter, they are a gift from Entiwa the goddess of the hunt. They provide you with sight into an event that can be changed by your actions alone." He stood and pulled me to my feet. "Do not fear this vision Ysellian embrace it, take it and be the one to make sure it never happens." He smiled and turned to the window looking at the height of the sun in the sky. "Your trial begins soon my son, I will leave you to prepare."
I pulled my furs over my shoulders and settled my boots in place. I grabbed my bow and quiver and laced them to my vest. As I came to the door I paused for a moment thinking of the vision. I placed my hand on the door for a moment hoping I would not see what that vision had shown me. I pushed the door open and ice cold air rushed into my home, no fire to be seen. I took a few steps outside and took a deep breath of cold mountain air. I closed my eyes and listened to the wind as it whistled through the trees, the soft crunch of snow from the small animals looking for food underneath it. This was my home and I will not be taken easily from it.
Walking through the village was quiet except for the wind howling. No fires crackling in the homes, no stories being told to the younger ones. I heard faint noises like talking and celebration from afar, as I came to the village center I saw why. A roaring fire blazed and lit up the night as the whole village stood around it in party and prayer. A feast was made, a dance was ongoing and a table was set specifically for our hunters. As I came around the corner my father stood and called attention to me. "At last my son you have arrived, now we can begin."
Helika stood in full ceremonial regalia holding a carving knife in his hand. My father motioned for me to come forward as he walked to Helika's side. "Ysellian Densahy, you have been chosen and marked as a huntsman of our village, a proud moment for one so young." Helika spoke with pure dominance, "Today you have endured your mark, tonight you will endure your trial, but tomorrow you will endure victory!" The village howled and chanted as he spoke. "You are the youngest one to ever be bestowed this great challenge, and yet I feel you will surpass us all none the less." He held up the knife high in the air as I reached them. "This is your weapon, your bow and quiver will be left behind with me to ensure the trial is followed." I paused for a moment, trying to wrap my head around surviving a night with only a carving knife. After a moment I removed my bow and quiver and threw them aside.
"Good, now remove your furs and lay them at your fathers feet as a tribute to him should you fail." I looked up at him as he glared at me with authority. No weapons is one thing but no protection from the winds or claws of the mountain is even worse. I reached for the strap holding my furs to my shoulders and paused as I got them halfway off. I closed my eyes and thought of that vision, that version of me with the half blackened body. I opened my eyes and ripped the furs from my shoulders and chest and placed them at my fathers feet. "I will not fail you or this village family, I swear to the gods I will never fail!" The other hunters howled after I spoke and hit their chests with their fists in pride. My father placed a hand on my shoulder and smiled, "I believe you my son, now show the rest of them what it means to be a prime hunter!" Helika held out the knife at the villages edge as the sun fell behind the horizon. I grabbed the knife and held it high in the air keeping my eyes on the forest edge.
I said nothing before walking into the dark of the forest. The blazing fire drifting farther away, the chattering of the village growing quieter. Until it was just silence and snow covered darkness. I eased my breathing and walked as light as possible. I didn't want to attract any unwanted attention, especially from the white wolves. No hunter to try and track them has ever come back. I began searching for a place to get out of the mountain winds, if I can stay out of the winds and avoid the dangers of the wilds I can do this without any problems. I walked from tree to tree keeping myself out of the wind as much as possible. Until finally I found a small opening on the side of a hill along the mountain. Openings like this are rarely unoccupied so I held the knife close and moved slowly. I reached the side of the opening and paused listening for any sound or movement, not a sound could be heard over the howling mountain winds. I took a chance and slowly turned the corner knife in hand ready for anything. It was shallow but empty, good enough to stay out of the biting cold.
I sat for the first time in hours and out of the freezing cold. I couldn't feel my hands or face and I kept thinking of the warm fires of home. I thought of everything to try and stay warm but nothing came to mind that would work. As I sat and huddled to myself about what to do a thought came to me. The brand on my chest would send searing pain through me if I removed the patch of hide. My fathers words echoed in my head as I placed my hand over the patch. I knew it would be painful but if it kept me alive I was willing to remove it. I grabbed the edge of the patch and lifted one side of it, instantly I felt the searing pain of the brand returning. I fell to one knee in pain, holding my scream to not attract attention. I pulled the rest of the patch off quickly, as the pain rushed back to me it was as if it was still being pressed into my chest.
I fell to the ground trying to hold back my screams. I took a handful of snow and placed it on the brand. It immediately melted but eased the pain slightly. I put another handful and another handful, trying to ease the pain as much as possible. After several handfuls of snow the pain was a fraction of what it was, still searing hot, but manageable. I felt warm again, the pain spiked my body temperature. Just as I hoped it would, however I didn't think of the smell of cooked flesh rising into the mountain air.
Not long after removing the patch I began to hear crunching snow. Light footsteps carried in the mountain winds. Quick but quiet movement, and more than one of them. I grabbed my knife again and put myself low to the ground. As quickly as I moved something jumped in front of the opening. Solid white fur, large strong legs and claws the size of daggers, white wolves. I froze in place as low to the ground as I could get. The wolf sniffed the air around it trying to pick up my scent again. It turned its head from left to right raising it ears to try and hear me. For a moment I began to wonder where the rest of the pack was. Then I recalled something Helika told me before. The white wolves always have a scout to move ahead of the pack and warn of danger or food. This one must be the scout.
If it is alone I have a chance to kill it without the others finding me after. The smell of its blood would pollute the air and mask my scent. I only had one chance to do it, right as it drops its head and moves its ears. I slowly crawled forward keeping myself low, only moving when its head was turned and its ears away. When I finally got close enough I could see its fang, like the teeth of a demon, black and stained with blood. I waited for my moment to strike, the mighty white wolf will become the prey this night. As it dropped its nose and turned its head just right I sprang from the ground aiming for its neck. I missed, the wolf reacted quickly and instead I pierced its chest. It sent out a howl of pain that echoed through the trees. The wolf sprang with a last bit of strength and bit my left arm leaving deep punctures. I pushed the knife deeper into its chest, as it fell limp I could hear howling erupt from all directions, more were coming.
I quickly got to my feet and grabbed what sticks I could find nearby. I lay them on the dry ground in the opening and used my leather belt straps to bind them to my arms. If I was to die I was going to take as many as I could with me. I held a large rock in one hand and my knife in the other. As quickly as the wind moved the wolves came into view one after another. They slowly approached eyeing my knife then the dead wolf at my feet. "Come you white demons, I have taken one of your kind. I wonder how many more before I fall!"
A smaller wolf lunged forward ahead of the other four, trying to prove himself to the pack. It leaped over my head and landed inside the opening. I knew it was trying to surround me to lessen my chances. I quickly spun around and lunged my dagger for its head, it opened its mouth and bit hard on the sticks covering my arm. The sticks broke from the bite, but the wolf payed for its mistake with its life, two down four to go. I quickly turned back around to the other four standing in the clearing. I couldn't tell if they were impressed or angry. Before another one of them could move a deep howl echoed through the trees. A large white wolf walked its way from the darkness into the clearing. Its sheer size alone was staggering, its eyes were blood red and its teeth of black steel, its claws each a razor sharp dagger. This was the alpha of the pack, this one was the one I needed to kill, Easier said than done.
The other wolves backed away as it walked through the clearing. I steadied myself and stepped over the scout wolf corpse matching its stride. It stopped moving as we met mere yards away. The other wolves slowly surrounded the two of us as we stopped, as if to make some kind of arena. The alpha lowered itself slightly ready to leap on me at any second. I met its stance lowering myself ready to make my move when it did. The other wolves growled and howled at us and danced around in place as if to set a boundary. The alpha growled low and sprang forward much faster than the ones before. I rolled away but was caught by its claws on my back. Pain shot through my body as the daggers sank into my back. My blood stained the snow where I rolled but that didn't stop me. As I came back to my feet I leaped at the wolf cutting its left eye with my knife. It howled in pain and staggered back as it shook its head back and forth.
It recovered quickly and bolted forward again, this time low aiming for my legs. I pushed myself forward at its level and smashed the rock into its forehead, it barely fazed it. It collided with me sending me rolling over its back and onto the ground. It swiftly turned and leaped for me before I could return to my feet. I raised the arm still wrapped in sticks, as it bit down they broke and splintered pressing into my arm with great pressure. I hit the great wolf in the head again with the rock this time it stumbled back a step long enough for me to get to my feet. The sticks were splintered and snapped on my arms, my back and left arm dripping blood onto the snow. The alpha began to circle me as if he had won, growling low and licking his lips. He lunged again at me this time knocking the knife from my hand onto the ground nearby, I dove for it only to run into the great wolf. We both rolled for a moment in the snow doing anything we could to harm the other, until I pressed my feet to his stomach and pushed him hard off of me. I dove for the knife again ,retrieving it and leaping to my feet ready for him to strike again.
The alpha gathered itself and stood for a moment glaring at me from its one red eye. It tilted its head slightly and stood tall. I could feel myself out of energy and out of strength my breath getting heavier. If this continued I would be dead, I only had one more chance to kill it and on its next attack I was going to take it. The wolf stood glaring at me as I readied myself. Instead of attacking it howled high into the air, the other wolves ran into the woods as quickly as they appeared. The alpha slowly approached me taking careful steps on its left side. It got just outside of my area to attack it and sat. "You are indeed strong young one, I can see why they chose you." My eyes widened as it spoke, "You will indeed be a contract worth making, I just hope you live long enough to do so." It leaped over me quicker than I could react, I was frozen for a moment as an overwhelming presence stood behind me. "Now take your prizes and display them among your worthless village." A dark shadow veiled hand caressed my cheek. "You will be mine Ysellian Densahy, one way, or another."
I shook my head and turned quickly only to see the alpha wolf looking at me through the dark woods. Its remaining eye piercing red through the darkness. I swear I saw it smile before disappearing into the night. I stood for a moment trying to comprehend what I heard, what I saw. Nothing in this world explains what I just witnessed. I slowly made my way back to the opening to get out of the cold. Blood dripped from my back and arm as I sat on the ground next to the two wolf corpses. I looked at the knife in my hand, I began to notice it wasn't blood dripping from it but a thick black substance. I dropped the knife and began loosening the leather belt straps on my arms. As I began to examine my arm I started to think about what just happened. I fought and killed not one but two white wolves. This is going to make one hell of a story. Though the talking wolf may need to be left out.
After I stopped the bleeding on my arm using some plant fibers and sticks. I picked up my knife and held it over the corpse of one of the wolves. The black liquid was still dripping from it as I held it over the fresh hide. I felt myself smile as I dug the knife just under its skin carefully taking the fur hide from its body. After a few hours of cutting and pain I pulled the final piece of the pelt from its body. The sun was beginning to rise as I sat back admiring the pristine look and feel of the white wolves hide. I looked at the corpse of the first wolf I had slain. I was tired and cold not wanting to carve another pelt. I took the knife and dug it into the beasts neck, sawing at it until its head rolled from its body. I wrapped the head in my leather belt bindings and attached it to my pants, covered myself in the freshly skinned pelt and began my walk home.
Hours later as I began to recognize my surroundings exhaustion hit me hard. I started to stumble and trip over nothing. My vision started to blur slightly as I came upon the villages edge. I only remember Helika calling my name and then collapsing to the ground as I entered the clearing. I awoke some time later lying in my bed, my back covered in herb infused patches and my arm wrapped in linens. I sat up slowly as the pain from my chest had not subsided, and the pain from my back freshly made. My father opened the door as I sat up and quickly made his way to my bed side. "Ahh Ysellian your awake finally." I looked at him and smiled slightly.
My father smiled back and helped me to my feet. We walked to the door and above it hung the white wolfs head I returned with, and on display in the front of the hunters hall was the white wolf pelt I wrapped myself in. "You have made a name for yourself my son, no man has ever faced the white wolf and lived. Much less return with trophies." I stood in my doorway looking at the pelt as Helika exited the hall, he looked my way and smiled jogging his way over. "I see Ysellian is awake, its about time too, its been two days." I looked from the pelt to him and tilted my head in disbelief. "Did you say its been two days since I returned?" Helika laughed and placed a hand on my shoulder. "I know you took a beating Ysellian, but you held good to your word and returned to us." I noticed behind Helika in the distance the village began to notice I was awake. More and more of them started to come towards my home. Until the whole village was surrounding it giving praise and congratulations. Helika raised his hand and shouted as loud as he could, "Our brother has not yet heard his new name, let us tell him together!" The village began to chant a name I had never heard but stuck with me the rest of my days. "Wolfsbane! Wolfsbane! Wolfsbane!"