Mutual Salvation (Closed)

[degrepski]

Connor stared at his folded hands. "We're a rather...seclusive tribe. You're probably the first outsider the Vilki have seen in a hundred years or more. We tend to be a bit...out of touch with the rest of the world."

He shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "As for why you can't go out at night, it's something of a private matter, a tribal secret." He looked deep into her eyes. Her beautiful eyes. "Just follow the rules, and no harm will come to you." He let the unspoken consequence of disobedience hang in the air.

 

[Asa]

I am afraid you do not understand... I am drawn to the moon... my healing and other abilities are fed by it. The night the moon especially the nights of rage wind.... strong winds blowing through our lands are called rage winds.

As she spoke of the moon her pale eyes shimmered.

I have to find a way to be in the presence of the moons light directly. Even if I must leave here to do it.

Clearly fearful of leaving and risking being found by Grannook but it was a risk she might have to take.

 

[degrepski]

"Ah, Gowna!" Connor swore. "That does pose an issue..."

He got up and paced the tent, trying to find a solution.

"You're not fit to leave, so don't even joke about that, for now," he said. Then, he snapped his fingers. "I've got an idea! Give me a day, and I'll have a way for you to have your moon, and stay inside at night. For now, just rest here, ok?"

He felt the beast rise up. Not good, night was coming.

He waited tensely for her answer, hoping she was able to wait.

 

[Asa]

The energies around him shifted her head tilted as she stood moving closer to him watching them in his eyes.

Fine... one night. What is wrong?

She was guided by instinct... unconscious actions guiding her a hand resting a breath away from his face before she realized what had happened and backed away quickly.

One night

 

[degrepski]

He saw a look cross her face as she nearly touched him. He prayed it wasn't so, but it looked like recognition.

One Night, she said.

With a grateful nod, Connor rushed out the door, nearly knocking over Szaman Kazhim as he went.

"Ah," Kazhim said, as he entered the tent. "I see he was cutting it a little close, eh?" He saw the look on Kalina's face. "What happened, child? You look...frightened, maybe?"

 

[Asa]

Its... its nothing

She turned sharply from him biting her lip. She has never seen energies around a being crossing within their eyes like that. She could not even do this with this healer why then could she do so with Connor. Frightened... a little... alot. Much less the fact that she nearly touched the face of a near stranger as if it were perfectly natural.

 

[degrepski]

Kazhim took a step toward her. "Child, what's wrong?"

--------------------------------------------------------------

Outside, Connor was running. He ran past the tents, with families huddling together. He ran past the meeting hall, where the warriors were enjoying camaraderie. He ran past his home, where no one waited to see if he was ok. He ran past the sentries, who gave him a somber salute.

He ran out of the village and deep into the woods. And he felt the beast take over his sanity.

As he ran, his two legs became four. Fur grew on his body, his teeth lengthened. He growled, his human voice changing to that of a predators.

He howled, the pure cry of the wolf.

For that is what he was. He was a wolf. No more Connor the man, he was now a wolf.

The beast that gave the Vilki their power, that made them secluded from all the rest of the world. This beast which had not agreed to be a part of him, instead choosing to take control every night, instead of the compact which gave the wolf free reign on the full moon.

There was no agreement between Connor and his beast. There was only war.

The last part of Connor's fractured sanity gave a howl of pain and suffering, then vanished.

 

[Asa]

Even you may think I am crazy if I tell you Healer

Taking a deep breath she turned around to face him her eyes betraying the fear over the appearance of calm as she tried to speak again.

As I am sure you know I... I am not like most. My healing ability as well as other abilities comes from the moon the night and the rage winds... Strong winds of the night. Connor asked for a day to be able to grant me night skies and still be kept within this place or another for safety. But he will not tell me safe from what. Who are you people that you have never dealt with Grannook nor that any have ever heard of you.

She did everything she could spoke of anything she could think of not to bring up the energies she saw flowing within Connor and without.

 

[degrepski]

Kazhim was silent for a time. Stroking his beard, he made a decision.

"The chief and the elders and I talked. We are worried about this threat from which you speak of, this...Grannook demon. Our people has always believed that no man should dominate over another, and there has always been fear that a man like that would try and dominate us."

He motioned for Kalina to sit, because he knew his story would be a long one.

"Long ago, my people were simple nomads, like yours. We wandered the hills and valleys of a cold, cold land, far to the north. The winter would not end, and our people were dying. We prayed to the spirits of the land to shelter us, to save us."

He hung his head. "But none of them would help. None but one. The spirit of the Wolf. He came to us and promised us protection from the cold and from the many predators of this land. And so, we made a pact with him.

"See, his people were dying, too. He knew, as we did, that by ourselves we would both perish, but together we could survive. We could outlast the winter. Our bargain, our compact, was that the spirits of the wolves would rest within our bodies, renewing us, giving us strength, protecting us."

He looked in Kalina's eyes. "But in return, they would claim one night of the month to return to their bodies. To become wolves once more. It was a compact that we agreed to willingly, and continue to willingly agree to, for the spirits of the wolves are benevolent, if...a might temperamental."

He raised his eyes to the heaven. "Connor is...unique amongst our kind. With every birth, our children are grow human until the end of their twelfth year. Then, they make their compact with the wolf spirit inside them, promising to protect the pack and give them their day. With Connor, something went wrong, and the wolf runs rampant within him."

He hung his head resigned. "Connor and his wolf are nearing the end of their fight. Either Connor or the wolf must win, or they will both perish."

 

[Asa]

The energy I saw... She had whispered before she could stop the words. Looking to him she bit her lip. deciding to continue she looked to him...

Can any of your kind our magi calls it reading the blood? To know know the path that must be taken by each person individually? All I know is that they take a little blood from a black dagger wound and can see things in it? Magi would only tell me of the moon connection to me and my healing from reading my blood hough he did say there there was more there but he was unsure how to tell me or anyone else without scaring them...

 

[degrepski]

Kazhim chuckled. "Oh, I understand what you mean, and we of the Vilki have no need of that."

He took a deep inhale through his nose. "Spirit of the Wolf, after all. May I?"

He took a step toward her, not too close, and inhaled deeply her scent.

For a while, he just stood there, calm and serene, with a little tension, his own wolf reacting within him. They were two old souls, the old Szaman and his spirit, and they knew how to react.

He opened his eyes wide. "By the spirits...." He looked closely at Kalina. "Is it possible?"

---------------

The wolf that was Connor roamed free at night. And it's travels usually took it far and wide, hoping to tire Connor every day as he was forced to walk home. But, this night, he did not wander far, choosing instead to patrol around their village, out of sight of the sentries, even Vilki sentries.

It would sit for long periods at a time, it's ears and nose twitching, as it gazed in the direction of a single hut, a silent, imposing guardian of the one that it had tracked down to save.

For what purpose a small Connor wondered. Why the woman, beast?

The wolf growled, silencing the human.

 

[Asa]

What?

She looked to him a brow raised though expecting more cryptic run around she watched him... his eyes but saw none of the energies she saw with Connor... that puzzled her more. She wondered if the stories she was told about when she was born would add anything to the old mans thoughts and sniff.

 

[degrepski]

Kazhim laughed. "This is going to sound strange..." he shrugged. "But then again, this is an unusual situation." He sat down. "For some reason, you smell like the moon! Like a full moon night!"

He stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I think you may be the key to helping Connor tame his beast. If the moon can calm the beast, then Connor might be able to make his compact with it, make peace with the beast inside him."

Kazhim laughed in triumph. "Oh, Pasterzem! Thank you!" He did a silly little dance of joy. "You have no idea, my dear. I have prayed for someone to save my nephew. Prayed dearly for his soul!" Tears pricked at his eyes, as he got on his knees. "Please, say you will stay by his side. In return, our people will offer you full protection from your Demon in the west."

 

[Asa]

I... I was born under a full moon. Mother died in childbirth... Magi suspects the draw I have to the moon was more than she could handle giving birth to me.

She watched him...

Yes... I will stay... Can I go to him now? I will be alright... especially with you there I am sure.

 

[degrepski]

Kazhim applauded Kalina. "Thank you. Thank you, my dear."

At her question, his happy face fell. "I'm sorry, my dear. Once he goes out, the beast takes over, and leads him wherever it chooses. The best we can hope is that your calming presence is enough to lure the beast back."

-----------------------------------------------------

The beast that was Connor moved from his post. He padded softly down to the camp. The sentries immediately readied weapons, but there was no need. The beast just calmly walked past them, as if it had every right to be here.

It walked through the tents, the moon shining on it's snow white fur, reflected in it's bright eyes. Finally, it reached the tent where the woman was.

It--He--nosed his way in, and stood before them in all it's glory.

It was a frost wolf, like any other. It's sleek white fur was majestic, and it's golden eyes pierced the soul. It sat down by the tent door, and looked pointedly at the Szaman.

"Ah!" Kazhim said. "I..guess that happened sooner than I thought." He visibly shrank, a pack member being subdued by the alpha male. "I, uh, will leave you two alone." He moved quickly past the wolf-that-was-Connor.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he escaped, then looked back at the tent.

It's up to you, now, he thought to Kalina. May Pasterzim watch over you.

 

[Asa]

She nodded to the old man noting his sudden concern with the wolf sitting there she stood holding its attention till he left.

You found me but your human had to carry me to save me. It seems that whether you like it or not you need your human side don't you?

Her voice calm as she sat back down and motioned the wolf over to her. She was not a packmate nor was he her alpha... she knew this... she was an enigma and puzzle the wolf was drawn to her but refused to tell Connor why. That was something she was going to fix if she could.

Let your human side know why you are drawn to me. He wishes me gone for my own safety as soon as I am well because of you... he does not know what you want with me.

She wondered if her talking would be understood but she had no other idea what to do.

 

[degrepski]

The wolf growled, rose slowly on it's haunches, and assumed a position of dominance.

I will NOT reveal my neck to this man, the wolf thought to Kalina. It projected the sight of a wolf cowed by a dominant male. I will NOT be forced to surrender. The human does not understand.

It stalked toward her, hackles rising. This PUP thinks to command me, and I will not be dominated. It growled loudly. You will make him understand, or you will be food for my pack!

It shook it's head, Connor trying to fight out, trying to subdue the creature. Filthy man creature! It howled into her mind.

 

[Asa]

You will not threaten the moon, wolf...

She did not back down standing her pale eyes staring deep into its eyes. If the human dies because of you you foolish mutt you die with him do you not get that.

Her words and actions far different than the defenseless wounded woman the wolf found. Something in her was feeding off the conflict between Connor and the wolf. The winds picked up a rage wind began blowing as she grew more intent. IN all honesty she had no idea this was happening or that her affinity and connection to the night was causing it.

You and your human side WILL combine will be equal and WILL accept one another as equals or I will leave and take the moon with me is that clear wolf?

She stood there towering over the wolf form her eyes never leaving his her actions were instinct and in a way not fully her own. Her bond to the moon and the night went beyond even her understanding that is what scared her people.

 

[degrepski]

The wolf growled, but it's hackles lowered.

You think I want this? You think I want this war with this pup! He insulted me! Insulted the honor of the wolf, the honor of the MOON! He DEMANDED my obedience at the compact. He sought to TAME what was not his.

It's tried to relax, no longer baring it's fangs, no longer threatening. The wolf was not tamed, but it had been calmed.

Child of the Moon, it said. I want what is best for the pack. When I found your sent, I believed you could help me tame this man pup. It is as much a beast as I.

It sat down, and bowed it's head, eyes closed.

I will make a compact with you, it said. Help me to tame this human. Teach him what it means to be one with the wolf. Then can we be whole, then can I fulfill the promise I made to the leader of the man pack.

 

[Asa]

You will BOTH have to meet each other half way. First what is his opinion of my being here... does he sense in me what the old healer does? Does he understand that?

She moved closer lifting its head to face her.

I can help him understand more about me if I can be in the night and the moon and he can see what I am... that means you have to stay at bay or...

She thought for a moment...

Let us go out in to the night together let him awake in the wild not too far from home but with me being there and unharmed that may be a start but you too must stop being so bull headed wolf and I think yo know that... pride blocks you both from each other.

 

[degrepski]

The wolf resisted the urge to bite her as she touched his muzzle.

The man thing can't sense you, because he is not one with me like the Szaman is with his wolf spirit, it said. As for what he thinks...

It paused, as if in contemplation.

Fine, it said. We will do this your way. He padded his way out of the tent, giving only a cursory glance back to be sure she knew to follow.

 

[Asa]

Once in the moonlight she seemed to come alive running past him twirling her eyes closed face fully to the moon her feet landing as if he had walked the path millions of times. Lighter bruises and the smallest of cuts almost seemed to be washed away by the moons soft rays flooding her form.

She simply smiled to Szaman as she danced past him. She knew she was safe and hoped that he and the others would see it as well. Watching the wolf to see if it had a place it felt most comfortable as the moonlight seemed to dance around with her and the rage wind calmed to a strong but soft breeze.

 

[degrepski]

The wolf continued past the village, over the plains, and into the treeline, largely ignoring Nadya.

But Connor couldn't.

It was as if the tranquility of the moon was enough to soothe the both beast and man. Instead of fighting, Connor was willing mixing with the spirit of the wolf.

What? Connor thought. What is this?

It is the Moon Child, the wolf thought back. Connor recoiled, but was strangely calm. This was how it was supposed to be, man pup. Two hunters in the pack, together, united. But you demanded obedience, like some dog!

The wolf growled low, and Connor understood the meaning.

As they reached the treeline, the wolf lay in the heather.

This is where we will camp, it said. And we three will stay here until either the man and I reach an accord... he growled Or we all three perish.

 

[Asa]

She could hear both of them. The wolfs determined attitude that all three would perish here if the man cub did not come to agree and understand. That brought he anger again as she snapped back at the wolf.

NONE will perish! You want respect from him then show respect as well the the one powerful enough to keep your spirit in this living realm. You both will come to an arrangment of mutual respect... or else. And do not forget wolf I am note some pack mate to be bullied nor ordered about. Nor Connor am I some helpless fragile who can not survive without some overprotective male.

With that she sat down and began slithering her finger through the grass and the heather as she waited to see their next move.

 

[degrepski]

Damn, Connor thought. Tough bitch, huh?

The wolf couldn't help but chuckle. Indeed. A true Child of the Moon.

They were both caught off guard by their sudden...amiability.

Are we...actually talking? Connor said.

The wolf gave a mental nod. Indeed, Connor-pup. This was as it was supposed to be. No accident, it is, that the leader of the pack chose you as his partner.

The voice of Connor was silent for a time.

Well, Connor thought. Shall we try this again? A new compact?

The wolf smiled. Indeed. Oh, and, by the way, you know she could hear you calling her a bitch, right?

If it was possible for a mind to blush, Connor did.

The wolf gave a vocal howl of laughter. Moon Child, it said, when it's laughter subsided. In order for our spirits to be at peace, we need to perform a new ceremony of the Compact. Would you do us the honor of performing it?