3.

  Faelwen

  The sky was growing darker now, and thick clouds were beginning to gather. Again, snow would fall soon. This would cover up any tracks, including the beast’s, so we had to move fast. I quickened my pace, the new short sword bouncing against my leg as I ran back toward the spot where the cow had been killed.

  I am waiting in the shadows of the Oaktree, I heard Artemis speak, his presence calm and steady in my mind. He’d apparently followed me to the barn.

  His keen senses were always alert, but now I could feel his focus sharpening as night closed in. The snow would soon cover the beast’s tracks, so we had to move fast.

  “Artemis?” I called softly as I approached the Oaktree. No response.

  My heart skipped a beat. Where was he? I glanced around, searching for the familiar outline of his body.

  “Artemis?” I whispered again, this time more urgently. If the farmer caught me talking to a wolf, he’d alert the Hunters and that would ruin everything. I crept forward, the snow crunching beneath my boots, and froze at a sudden crackle of branches.

  My heart pounded in my chest as I slowly turned toward the sound. From the shadows, two glowing golden eyes leapt at me. I fell back, startled, but then the familiar scent hit me; Artemis.

  The small wolf pinned me to the ground, his growl deep but playful. “Nine hells Artemis! You scared the life out of me!” I scolded, pushing him off me.

  He grinned, or as much as a wolf could, his tongue lolling out in what could only be described as laughter.

  I frightened you, didn’t I? He teased me. “Yes, you did, you big fool!” I laughed as he licked my face. Crazy wolf. “Now get moving, we have work to do. I don’t want to wipe away the beast’s tracks before we’ve even found them.”

  Oh stop whining, Wen. My nose is far better than your tracking skills. He stretched and shook himself off, his golden eyes sharp and focused once more.

  “Alright, alright. Let’s find this thing and be over with it,” I said, scratching behind his ears before he trotted off.

  We worked our way around the barn, the snow still light enough not to cover any clues yet.

  You know, this plan of yours is reckless. There are safer ways. Artemis’s words echoed in my mind as I inspected the area.

  “I know, but we have the advantage of surprise. The beast will never expect us to track it. Besides, we both have some fighting skills to protect ourselves.”

  Artemis grumbled something wolfish and stalked on, sniffing the ground around him. I crouched down as well, to inspect the ground. But all I could see were puddles of melted snow and dead grass sticking out.

  Closer to the barn, I found some damaged wooden planks from the wall. Probably where the attack took place. As I investigated the ground more attentively in these surroundings, I found no tracks whatsoever near the barn.

  But then in the fading light my eyes caught something interesting. At the edge of the field was a broken fence and on the side, stuck to the wood, was a bundle of grey hairs.

  “Artemis, over here,” I called softly. He sniffed the fur and lifted his head, his ears twitching as he caught the scent of something unusual.

  Got it. Not a bear or a wolf… smells different.

  Before he could finish, a low growl rumbled in his throat. He had the scent. I felt a flicker of hope stir inside me as he howled at the rising moon.

  “Quiet, fool! You’ll wake the whole farm!” I hissed, trying to hush him.

  Fool? I learned from the best, didn’t I? Artemis gave me a smug look before leading me toward the beast’s trail.

  As we sneaked back towards the shelter of the forest, snowflakes started to drift down from the sky. They dissolved into the puddles on the muddy ground but clung to the branches like delicate lace. Soon, everything around us would be wrapped in a thick blanket of white. The cold had claimed my nose and ears despite gloves and hood. It gnawed at my face relentlessly.

  The climb up into the forest was steep, and I began to worry we had lost the path. But Artemis pressed on, tireless and focused, never glancing back to see if I was following.

  After hours of walking, my legs ached, and my feet felt like frozen stones. The snow thickened underfoot, turning from wet slush to a heavier, colder mass. My boots were soaked through, and a constant shiver ran through me.

  I bent against the slope, forcing my body to keep moving upward. The climb stretched on, and by the time night fell, weariness had taken hold of me.

  “Just a couple of minutes… to eat and drink.” My body screamed for new energy. It was drained.

  Reluctantly, I sat down in the snow, aching all over. We paused for a few minutes before I forced myself to stand and continue.

  After eating a piece of bread and a bit of meat, I forced myself to stand. The snow was thicker now, and it crunched underfoot as we resumed our trek. We walked in silence until we reached the foot of the mountains, where I halted, uncertain.

  Artemis stopped for a second and sniffed the air.

  We’re close, he said, follow me. We veered right at a small fork in the path, and soon the mouth of a cave loomed ahead.

  “Is this it?” I asked.

  The smell is strongest here. This must be it, Artemis confirmed.

  A fear gripped me, making me hesitate. “You go first,” I muttered, my voice betraying my anxiety. Artemis sighed audibly.

  You wanted to be the hero. You go first. He nudged me forward with a nip to my ankle. And though it startled me, it was the push I needed. I inhaled deeply, steadying my nerves and entered the cave, reminding myself that I could do this. The smell of herbs and blood hung thick in the air, unsettling me. As we moved deeper, the light from the entrance faded more and more until the darkness had swallowed us whole. My hands brushed against the cold, smooth walls.

  “I can’t see anything!” I whispered, my voice tight with unease.

  Just follow the light ahead, Artemis whispered back. A faint, eerie glow flickered in the distance, like the light from a small fire. But could a beast make fire?

  As we continued, the cave opened into a wide, circular chamber. At the far end, dimly illuminated by two torches, stood the shrine of a God I didn’t recognize. The thing was nothing more than a flat surface made of simple grey stone with black candles on top which gave off a faint, yellow light.

  Stolen story; please report.

  Above it, jars of different sizes decorated a shelf. Realization hit me when I recognized the liver and heart of a cow. I swallowed. Was that Thalor’s cow? The damp air nearly suffocated me, but I forced myself to keep breathing steady. On the left side of the shrine was a pitch black hole in the wall.

  The walls of the room were strengthened by big square stones that were smooth to the touch, just like the tunnel.

  Suddenly, a noise echoed from the tunnel beside the shrine… footsteps. Something muttered in a low voice, growing increasingly closer.

  I gripped my bow, stepping back into the shadows, heart racing. Whatever it was, it was about to enter the room. The only plan I had was to launch a surprise attack and improvise from there. I cursed softly for not making a more detailed plan and prayed to the gods we were going to survive this. Artemis stood beside me, tense, his tail low.

  A figure stepped into the chamber. At first, I was confused. It wasn’t a beast at all. It was a man. I shot a confused glance at Artemis. He couldn’t see my face, but in my mind I heard his confused voice.

  It must be him. That smell. It’s the same.

  The man was cloaked in a dark robe, his hood pulled over his face. He walked to the shrine, cradling a large book in his bony hands. He muttered something under his breath. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he would hear it.

  Attack! Artemis urged.

  Without thinking, I raised my bow, drew back the string and let go of the arrow. Aiming at his back. With surprising speed the man turned, raising his hand. My arrow bounced off an invisible wall.

  “Shit,” I muttered, slinging my bow on my back and lunging forward with my sword. Our eyes clashed and a shiver ran down my spine. He murmured another spell and my body froze mid-strike. The sword fell limp in my grasp. My breath hitched.

  “Well, well,” the man said in a rusty voice, like dry leaves rustling. “What curious path brought you here, young warrior?”

  His face, now fully visible in the torchlight, was gaunt and his eyes pitch-black. A wicked smile spread across his thin lips, revealing sharp, pointed teeth. I stood frozen, words caught in my throat. He stepped closer, his grin fading into a sneer.

  “I don’t like being ignored,” he hissed, seemingly getting frustrated. “You should be more polite, given your circumstances.”

  Just then, Artemis sprang, sinking his teeth into the man’s raised arm. The spell holding me broke instantly, and I was free to move again.

  The man howled in rage and threw Artemis towards me with terrifying strength. His body collided with mine and together we hit the ground heavily, making my back groan.

  The man strode towards us, and I raised my hands, desperate for some way to protect us. Panic flared through me and I wished for anything to grant me a moment to regroup myself.

  Out of nowhere, a strange energy, hot and wild, surged through me, leaving me dizzy and trembling. A blast of invisible force shot from my palms, knocking the man backward slightly. I stared in shock at my own hands. The man recovered quickly, a look of astonishment crossing his face.

  “Ah,” he said, eyes narrowing. “A novice in the Weave. But it feels strangely weak.”

  “The Weave?” I repeated, confused. Artemis had risen beside me, his ears pricked, equally puzzled.

  The man smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “The source of magic, little warrior. The invisible stream that flows between our realms. But, it feels like something is holding it back.” His hand extended toward me. “Trust me, and I’ll help you unlock your full potential.”

  I hesitated, repulsed by his offer. The man noticed, the corners of his mouth lifting.

  “My apology for my rude behaviour. I shall introduce myself. My name is Malignus, monk and protector of my lord. This shrine is but the beginning. With his guidance, I will spread his word so others might pledge allegiance to him. He grants powerful magic, little warrior.”

  I slowly shook my head and crawled away from his outstretched hand. He lunged to grab me, but I ducked and reached for my sword. I heard the man sigh.

  “So you choose death.” In an instant, the man’s body began to twist and contort, his human form unravelling.

  His robes fell away as he grew larger, fur sprouting from his skin. His face elongated, fangs glistening in the dim light. Blood dripped from his mouth as the skin around his lips stretched.

  He had transformed into a monstrous demon. Large black horns curled out of the side of his head. There was no time to think.

  The demon’s roar that vibrated through my bones, shaking my instincts to high alert. His clawed hands swiped at me. My heart jolted, a cold sensation gushing through my veins. I narrowly dodged out of harm’s way, slashing at his exposed side, but the blade barely left a mark.

  Blood dripped from the shallow wound, and the demon howled in fury. He swung again. With trembling hands I raised my sword, but harsh realization struck me as his talons tore through struck my stomach.

  I flew backward, crashing into the wall with a sickening thud. Knocking the wind out of me.

  “It’d be nice if you’d fight too,” I coughed and looked Artemis sternly in the eye. Furiously I stood up again, wiping the blood from my face.

  Artemis growled, raising his hackles before leaping at the demon, sinking his teeth into its neck. With new found courage I stepped forward and slashed at its exposed back. Adrenaline boosting my strength.

  Malignus roared out in anger and turned to face me, his wounds getting worse. I dodged backward avoiding his next strike and grinned. Maybe we had a chance of winning.

  As he stepped closer, I danced around to his other side. Feeling my survival instincts kick in. With all the strength I had I pushed my blade into his side.

  This time my sword went in deeper, making an awful gash in his side. Pride surged through me as blood gushed out of the wound. He roared again in fury and with a quick swing flung me aside.

  I stiffened in surprise and my hands slipped on the hilt of my sword. Leaving it edged into the demon’s side. Malignus pulled it out and broke it in two. My heart sank.

  Artemis, still on Malignus’s back, bit him again. Distracting him long enough for me to shake my bow from my back. As they struggled, I forced myself up, knocking an arrow.

  “Keep him distracted, buddy,” I muttered under my breath, pulling the string tight. Breath in. And out. Release. I felt the feathers of the arrow brush my cheek as it shot through the air.

  The arrow struck the demon’s shoulder with no effect, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. He flung Artemis aside again, and my wolf hit the wall with a sickening crack.

  Fear surged through me. I glanced to the side. He didn’t move. Malignus roared, swiping at me. I ducked under his claws releasing another arrow. It struck his shoulder, drawing a hiss of pain. Blood gushed from the wound and he staggered, weakening from the loss of life. His shoulders and neck were torn. There was a gaping wound right below his neck.

  A faint flicker of hope settled in my stomach. I had to be quick now. Clenching my teeth I shot arrow after arrow. Each one found its mark, battering his already blood drained body. He roared, but his strength faltered with every strike.

  One final arrow struck his throat, cutting off his air. His knees buckled and with a choking gasp, the demon collapsed to the ground. Relief surged through me. But only for a moment. Relief surged through me. But only for a moment.

  I stood trembling, my heart racing. The room was silent except for the sound of Artemis’s laboured breathing. I rushed to his side, examining his wounded leg with shaking fingers. It was bad – bone-deep bad – but he was alive.

  I think it’s broken. Artemis grunted.

  “We need to get you back to the farm,” I whispered, my voice shaking with exhaustion.

  But what about Thalor… Artemis’s voice brushed weakly through my mind.

  “He’ll have to accept that I live with a wolf. I’ll carry you,” I answered.

  I wonder what a demon was doing here. Artemis murmured in my mind. I nodded and an idea started to form.

  “I’ll take his books with me, maybe we can find some useful information.”

  I took a torch from the wall above the shrine and walked into the next room, gasping at the pain in my stomach, but ignoring it for now.

  This room was smaller than the circular room with the shrine. It was cramped, cluttered, and thick with the smell of dust and old tomes. There was a bed in the corner, a desk and three overstuffed bookshelves filled with books and ingredients.

  I let my gaze wander over the books. Some looked like spellbooks, others were clearly alchemical texts. I took some of the spell books and put them in my backpack.

  On the desk were letters written in a narrow, foreign script I didn’t recognize. I took those as well. After my investigations I went back to Artemis. With Artemis unable to walk, I would have to carry him. Luckily, he was quite small for a wolf.

  I gathered what strength I had left, lifting him as carefully as I could. We made our way through the tunnel, the light of day growing brighter with each step. The sun was already climbing in the sky. It felt like we had been in the cave for hours.

  The walk down the mountain was brutal. My legs trembled under Artemis’s weight, and only sheer will kept me moving as the sun sank.

  At last, the farm appeared on the horizon. Someone tending the cows noticed us and called for help.

  I was too exhausted to even lift my head in acknowledgement. But then I saw another person running towards us. And as the person got closer I recognized his features.

  “Help Artemis,” I said when he reached me and I handed him over. Thalor nodded once, sharp and focused.

  “Lean on me,” he commanded. And together we staggered the last few steps towards the farm.