Mutual Salvation (Closed)

[degrepski]

His hackles rose. Or, at least, they would have if he was a wolf.

He put a protective arm around her, pulling her closer to him, letting her feel his warmth, his gentleness.

"He will not have you," he growled low. "You're safe with me."

He kissed her cheek, imparting his promise.

 

[Asa]

She relaxed a little feeling him closer now to her turning to curl against his chest. She had tried so hard to forget but this moment here with him... her mind sought to remind her a defense fearing that what nearly happened was all there was to such interaction and closeness. Her eyes fell closed more relaxed this time as she slowly drifted into sleep peacefully and safe.

 

[degrepski]

The dawn's light crept up on the sleeping pair. Or trio, as the truth was. Connor began to stir, his arm still wrapped around Kalina.

He felt at such peace, waking up to this woman. Whether it was because she was the Moon Child, or whether it was just because she was who she was, it didn't matter. All that matter was that, for the first time in twelve years, he'd gotten a good night's sleep.

Kalina was still asleep. That was ok, Connor didn't feel like moving, anyway. he wanted to savor the moment, enjoy the beginning of the new day with her in his arms.

Man-pup, the wolf said. You know that her demon will come here. If he's anything like the warlords of old, he will not rest till he conquers everything, takes everything that he wants.

Connor felt his hackles rise. Let him come! he challenged. He'll find the Vilki to be ready when he comes.

The wolf shook his head in Connor's mind. We are few, and only you can change at will. Should Grannook come during a night of black moon, your entire tribe will perish. We must leave here, travel further east.

Connor started, causing Kalina to stir. He waited tills he settled back into sleep. The east? We have been forbidden to venture any further east for generations! We were cast out!

It's the only way, the wolf insisted. It's either that, or watch everything you love, including this woman, perish.

Connor chewed on this information for the while. It was bitter, and it stung. But the wolf was right.

Now if only the Chief and the Elders could agree.

 

[Asa]

Their words invaded her sleep but only adding to the dreams. Turning safety and security into death and decay around her standing there as this home was destroyed too. A gear leaping free of her eyes to trail down her cheek as she slept.

 

[degrepski]

We'll worry about it when we get back to the village, Connor told the wolf.

He returned his attention back to Kalina. Just in time to catch a tear glide down her cheek.

Great, he thought to himself. I keep forgetting she can hear us.

He brushed the tear aside. "Hey, it's ok. I won't let anything happen to you."

 

[Asa]

She could feel him near she could not let her nightmare happen. Curling closer her thoughts finally calmed and she slept deep. It was a comfort to be so close to another living being.

 

[degrepski]

Connor smiled as Kalina started to drift.

He pulled himself over her, till his face was upside down in front of her.

"C'mon, sleepy head," he teased. "It's morning already. Time to wake up."

He smiled. She looked peaceful. He wondered if maybe he should just go into town, get some clothes then come back. But, instinct and his bond to her told him not to stray too far from her side, no matter what.

 

[Asa]

Slowly her eyes opened as she laid there looking at him.

You and the wolf are worried about Grannook coming here aren't you?

Can the others shift? Perhaps my ties to the moon can help all of them shift for battle if it was ever needed. I have never tried to pull much power all at once but I do not see why I could not do so.

 

[degrepski]

Connor shook his head.

"They can only shift under the full moon," he said. "And since they're tied to it, it probably won't work for you like...we did."

He sat up, giving her some space. "As for Grannook, if he comes he'll find us fierce fighters, with our without shifting. But we're a reclusive people. We can fight, but we won't go to war. No, the best thing for my people is to keep traveling."

He smiled. "We're used to it, I suppose."

 

[Asa]

So were we but my people submitted to him.

Shaking her head she looked deep into his eyes.

I do not want to be the cause of your people having to leave their home.

 

[degrepski]

Connor smiled.

"We're no strangers from being chased from our home," he said. "This time, we get to choose to leave."

He got up, in all his manly glory, and placed a hand on a nearby tree. "Besides, this forest is old, older than my people," he said, turning toward Kalina. "I'll be here when we return."

 

[Asa]

You should go get dressed perhaps before speaking with them?

Standing she looked to him his eyes so peaceful now no more chaos energies running through them. She smiled to him and turned to start towards the village glancing back for a moment wondering what this all really meant what hope she could hold onto from his words and vows.

 

[degrepski]

He watched her go, mesmerized by her, wanting to follow after her, but knowing that in his...condition, it may not be the best.

That woman has bewitched me, he thought.

With a magic older than time, the wolf replied.

Connor thought on this as he waited for Kalina to return with clothes.

 

[Asa]

She hurried to the tent trying to walk in quietly to get Connor some clothes. She did not want to disturbed anyone as she quite Olympic looked for his clothes.

Hurrying back and handing him the clothes then turning away for him to dress she studied the heather till she thought she heard something and tensed looking around.

 

[degrepski]

Connor was grateful for the clothes, but was even happier when Kalina returned. He was able to get some of his clothes on when the wolf in him sensed someone coming.

He turned around and saw what looked like a soldier. It was no one from his clan, and he was already baring his teeth.

The man stood tall, covered in sparse armor. A helmet rested on his head, obscuring his features.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

The man made no sound. He merely drew his sword and charged.

Connor reacted, relying on instinct. He lunged in front of Kalina, and spun to dodge the sword swipe. Grabbing the soldier's sword arm, he pounded the man's face in, getting a cut from the rough metal helmet. It was enough to cause the soldier to recoil, which allowed him to kick his legs out from under him, grab the sword, and hold it at his throat.

"Is this one of Grannook's?" he asked Kalina with a growl, never taking his eyes off his prey.

 

[Asa]

She nodded terrified but feeling brave she moved to take the sword from Connor and staring at the man the terror flooded her eyes but so did the moon.

If they chose to let you live you tell your master demon that this land will not cower as my people did and "His witch" will kill him if his face ever meets hers again.

The moment of strength quickly gone as she could not believe what was happening terrified and dropping the sword turning to run from all though not wanting to lead any others that could be lurking to the camp she simply ran lost in overwhelming panic and terror.

 

[degrepski]

Kalina ran, and Connor was in fury.

He turned back to the soldier. "You tell you're bastard master that these lands are not open to him. And to ensure he gets the point across, I'm going to give you something to take with you."

He picked up the sword and lopped off the soldier's arm. He screamed in pain as Connor picked up the arm and gave it to him.

"Next time, you'll see what happens when you send armed soldier's to the Vilki!"

The soldier ran, clutching his wound and his arm.

The smelly human will bleed out long before he reaches their camp, the wolf said.

"They're close enough if they're sending scouts," Connor replied. "We must move. Now!"

He ran after Kalina, loping along in great strides. When he reached Kalina, he wasted no time with words but simply picked her up and kept running until they reached the Szaman's tent.

At first, Szaman Kazhim was surprised, then over joyed when his wolf smelled the peace within Connor. But his face fell as they told the story and told about the soldier.

"I had feared this," the Szaman said. "We have two choices; Flee or Fight. And if we want any chance at fighting, we will need to go East, to find our lost allies there."

Szaman Kazhim grabbed them both and took them to the Elder Council, to speak before the Chief and the Elders.

One Elder, a grizzled old bear of a man, stooped of back but strong of spirit, had this to say:

"Why should we move?" he demanded, his gravely voice echoing in the cave. "This is all the fault of the outsider! Why not just give the woman up?"

The Chief spoke, a strong man with a full, brown beard. "It is not, the way of the Vilki, Elder Grizzwold," he said. "To bend the knee to any who would threaten. I would be interested to hear what this young woman had to say about these invaders. May turn out they are not so 'peaceful' as to accept a peace offering."

 

[Asa]

To her they all looked like they would fit in perfectly with Grannook and his men recoiling she moved closer to Connor. Trying to draw some strength from him she told them all of what happened to her from the moment she unfortunately found the eye of their monster of a leader to her own people beating her and leaving her for dead when she refused to submit to the warlord.

She remained close to Connor and Szaman but her eyes kept darting around scared.

 

[degrepski]

The Chief and the Elders listened attentively. When Kalina had finished her story, they spoke in hushed tones. Finally, the Chief rose.

"This woman, this outsider, has clearly experienced the same persecution that we have faced," he said, voice strong. "The first thing we have decided is what we shall do with her."

He looked at Kalina and Connor. "Kalina the nomad, for what you have done for my son, Connor of the White, you have already earned your place amongst our people, in my eyes and the eyes of the entire tribe! From this moment on, you will be part of the Vilki, forever!"

Connor smiled, the Szaman gave a small cheer.

"As for these...these skurwysyn...these whoresons from the west," he said. "They have already shown that they are without decency, without morals, and without honor. The Vilki will NEVER bow the knee to such bastards as these. And if we are to survive another winter, if our clan is to thrive, we must seek out our old allies to the east."

He raised his spear, a piece of ironwood, hereditary symbol of the Vilki. "We will travel east! To seek out Allies and to march to war against the invaders!"

The hall erupted with a rousing cheer, the only silent voices belonging to Kalina, Connor, and Elder Grizzwold. Grizzwold just sat there, scowling at the idiots he perceived around them. Connor just held onto Kalina, congratulating her on becoming part of the tribe.

Kalina. Kalina just stood there, her mind awhirl with her thoughts.

 

[Asa]

She scarcely knew what to say or do but held onto Connor. She feared what Grannook would do to these kind people but she had no idea of who their allies were in the east so it was hard to say what would happen. She did catch the darkened face of the silent elder and bit her lip. She did not know if any of the others noticed.

Can... can we get out of here? I... I have to get out of here.

 

[degrepski]

"Of course," Connor replied. They stepped out of the cave.

"Is everything alright?" he asked, his voice lined with concern.

 

[Asa]

Not all are in agreement with the one you all call your chief... I... I am scared... the warriors remind me of Grannooks men so war marred.

She hugged him tight scared of what might happen. She did not want anything to happen to any of them but feared what would with one within their numbers being angered at her being there and the chiefs decision.

 

[degrepski]

Connor held her. "Kalina, you know who we are. We are men of the wolf. Fighting is a means of survival. That is the difference between us and Grannook. He fights for his own petty reasons. We have only ever fought for survival."

His mouth twisted in a grimace. "Grizzwold is...a coward amongst us. For him, survival means doing anything you have to. That is not the way of the wolf. And while some may listen to him, my father is loved and respected by his people. We will find a way to defeat Grannook."

He tilted her chin up to meet his eyes. "But the only way to defeat a man like him is to fight him. Like you did when you refused him. Your example will help rid the world of a hideous man." He smiled. "My Moon, your presence has brought new life back to the Vilki, and will renew the life of the world. Do not weep on this."

"And never fear. I will always be with you."

 

[Asa]

She simply curled tight against him her eyes closed tight hoping that Grannooks man was last not scouting if he was more will come. Her strength and abject terror through it all much like the waves that the moon holds sway over. Or like the crescent moon shaped like a blade but so frail and barely lighting the sky.

 

[degrepski]

Connor looked up to the sky, hoping for an answer. Then, noticing that it was already early evening and the meeting had lasted all day, he had an idea.

"Come with me," he said, guiding Kalina. They went outside the camp, passing preparations for the coming departure as they passed. When they reached the end of the camp, he stopped them.

Do you think you can help me? Connor asked.

The wolf thought. For the Moon Child, of course. Also, we need to find a way to talk silently. The wolf seemed to chuckle.

With the fading of the setting sun, so faded Connor's human form as he became the wolf. Skin became fur, arms became legs, and strong muscles became sleek bone and sinew.

The White Wolf stood before Kalina, proud and noble and strong. He stood a little taller than when she had first met him, and seemed more...tame, though such a word should never be used with a wolf.

Climb on, he said, staring at her through warm, golden eyes.