A Wild Hunger
A girl with Black hair and brown fur leather armor was hard to see in the dim lighting of the moon. Yet behind her stood a young man that appeared more interesting. His eyes told the story of many long nightmares, yet his face was warm and welcoming. His hair was white as snow, but he wore a contrasting outfit that kept him shadow-bound. A long black leather jacket that extended to his hips attached was a silver cross-chain, and with each step of his heavy black boots made a chain and mud harmonized with the low whistling of the man. These noises alerted the girl who stood at the ravine’s edge; she turned with a hint of a smile and said,
“Thank you for meeting me here on such short notice.”
“My pleasure the man responded.”
“Don’t lie; I know I took you away from her.” The woman began to act shy.
“It is no big deal, but what did you call me to this island for?”
The woman regained her more warrior-like composure and said,
“A few of the Amazons have gone missing. No matter the number of warriors we place in the group to envisage. At least one to half have gone missing.”
“That’s not why you called, though, is it?”
“Twenty-five dead is why I called you Cyrus.” The woman stomped her foot.
“I see.” Cyrus scratched his head. “What would be the cause?”
“I am still trying to get an idea; my mother won’t let me leave with any of the groups. It’s why I called you.”
“You know Callista,” Cyrus said with a slight grin. “You are a princess; she can’t lose you.”
“I may be, but I am also a warrior. I wish she would treat me as one.”
“So, did you tell her I was here yet?”
“No, I was going to surprise her throne room with her with your presence in the morning. You know she hates asking men for help.”
“True, but me more so.”
Callista placed her spear on the ground. And then sat next to it.
“So, what’s she like?”
“Oh, I see.” Cyrus began as he walked away.
“Hey, where are you going?”
“To find shelter and some supplies. Cyrus’s voice became quieter as he moved further away. You should head back to your castle, princess; it’s not safe.”
Callista huffed as she picked up her gear and left for home.
The next morning.
The courtroom of the Amazon’s was quiet the night prior; however, the morning provided a different manner of events, as all residents of the castle were awoken or distracted by the argument through the halls.
“Mom, please listen to me.”
“Darling, I will not by any means let you go on the investigation tonight. I cannot risk you.”
“But mom, wait”
“No! Callista, that is my final warning.”
“I called Cyrus.” The queen stopped her walk to the throne room and turned.
“You what!?” She shouted with such force that the waitress dropped their morning orders.
“I was trying to tell you.” Callista said as she spun her hair.
“You know our stance on men in our borders. How could you?”
“I understand, mom, but whatever is killing our warriors is clearly strong enough to wipe out a whole squad. We needed help.”
“While I agree, just not from a man. Let alone that type of man.”
“Cyrus is a good person, you know this.”
“Cyrus is not good, my dear; he almost convinced you to leave our home and your safety. Just because some boy came and lifted you off your feet doesn’t make him good. Now tell him to leave and never return.”
Callista ran down the hallway, wooden steps, and onto the gravel streets and arrived at the gate where Cyrus was waiting.
“Well, good morning, princess; how did my verbal introduction go?”
“She’s as mad as a bull.”
“That has seen red?”
“Yea. ”
“Anything else I should know?”
“She wants you to leave and never return. She’s still mad about us.”
“Oh, silly me forgot about that.”
“Cyrus now isn’t the time to jest. What is your call?”
“Just let me in. I’ll talk to her.” Cyrus said with a grin.
“She will kill you. Or worse, enslave you. Is that really something you will risk?”
“For you and some of your people, of course.”
“Okay.” Callista said with a wide smile.
Callista undid the lock and opened the steel gate. Cyrus was met with the site of the wooden and fur-wrapped huts. The wooden fences kept bulls, cows, and sheep. The farms had irrigated water and produced a variety of fruits and vegetables. Surrounding him were the stares and scowls by most of the amazons, not because of his history, but because he was a man in a world, he did not belong in. The stares he was used to, but that awful site of the satyrs locked in cages wearing only basic leather. Somewhere even walked around town chained to their master’s side.
“Wow!”
“I know it’s gross.”
“Why do you live like this?”
“I don’t. Every night, I pray that I can reach my mom and that she will undo this terrible law.”
“I’m sorry that wasn’t fair of me to say.”
“No, it’s okay; you reminded me why I wanted to leave.”
“I wish you would.”
“You know I can’t.”
Arriving at the gates. Cyrus and Callista were greeted by a satyr well adorned with leather clothing. Strapped to his back was a violin, and on his hip was a silver rapier He bowed and said,
“Princess, welcome back your mother wishes to. Oh, dear! You let him in.”
“Yes, I did, and thank you, Darvill.”
“For what?”
“Not telling her that minor detail.” Callista said as she tapped his shoulder.
Callista and Cyrus entered the throne room. Unlike the rest of the huts or castles in this room, marble walls lined with bright flowers and windows projected a bright light on the marble throne. Sitting on the throne was the queen of the Amazons, Lydia. Her blue gemmed armor shined with this light, causing Cyrus to readjust his eyes by blinking. Her crown, layered with purple and white roses, conveyed the code all amazons must live by. Cyrus walked in and kneeled while Callista stood next to her mother.
“I see” the queen began Ignoring Cyrus.
“You brought him in any way.” The queen sighed and put her left hand on Callista’s shoulder.
“One day you will learn, but today I will humor your arrogance. She turned to face Cyrus, unamused by his presence.”
“Your majesty.”
“Cut the formalities; how much has my daughter told you?”
“Twenty-five dead, at the least.”
Lydia gave off a predator-like glare to her daughter. Then huffed and said,
“I see; while that is true, we are in no need of your help.”
“I understand your position, Queen Lydia; it’s just last night while I stayed in the forest. I saw something and heard something unnatural about these forests. My only request is to investigate one of your dead. Should my suspicions prove wrong, I will leave. However, should something be amiss, I will need to stay.”
“Why would I grant this? The queen said as she stood.”
“Simply put, I feel a wendigo was loosed into your land.” Cyrus said as he stood.
The queen gripped her sword while Calista prepared to protest.
“How dare you!” the queen pointed her sword at Cyrus’s neck.
“Mother! Wait!”
“I will not have these foul words in my throne room. That last of the demons were sealed.”
Cyrus, unbothered by the sword inches away from his neck, simply stood and said,
“It’s your choice, your majesty. I am simply doing my God-given job. Though your fear is misplaced.”
The queen stared for what seemed like hours into Cyrus’s eyes. Lydia sat in her throne sword on her lap and then called for Darvill. Minutes passed, but that, too, seemed like hours as no words were said. A few guards entered with a body. It appeared to be rotted, and the color was unnaturally pale.
“She was one of our best and the first to be killed seven days ago.”
Cyrus investigated the body. Wounds that seemed to be claw marks, spears, and swords were scattered throughout. The stench of death, but not the one that should be there, emitted from the body. He placed a cross on the body; it seemed to move in reaction to the cross’s presence. Cyrus reached into his coat pocket and poured a vial onto the body. The body contorted and then Grabbed Cyrus’s neck. Callista went to spear the body, but Cyrus motioned her and the queen back. He then simply grabbed the cross and stabbed it into the body. The woman’s color returned, and she let him go. Her wounds began to close, and the rotting smell vanished. She placed Cyrus down and began to cry a river of tears.
“As I theorized. You, dear queen, have, in fact, a strong case of the wendigo curse. He grinned and continued. And you currently have in your courtroom the man that knows how to deal with this sort of issue. Please let me take this Amazon and your daughter to end this curse.”
“Absolutely not!” The queen shouted. “I will not have my best in Alexa and my daughter killed by that creature.”
“Your majesty” Alexa began as she kneeled. “That creature made me kill my squad. It made me take their very souls. I want to kill it. Please let me go.”
Cyrus nodded, “plus she knew where it was last spotted, which is critical.”
Callista grabbed her spear. “Mom, you know my gifts. I can protect Alexa. This must end tonight! ”
“Fine, but Cyrus, if both or one of them dies, I will enslave you and make your life a living hell.”
Cyrus grinned then said,
“I doubt you know what hell is like. His grin faded. As he began to walk out. I would shake on the deal, but I do not intend to return if either dies. Girls, grab your weapons. Let’s go monster hunting.”
Both girls nodded and left as Lydia sat on her throne, visibly shaking.
--
The full moon shined in the forest with a welcoming light. The trio stood at the forest entrance. Cyrus shuffled a deck of playing cards as Callista and Alexa sharpened their weapons. The howls of wolves, the coos of owls. And the song of the fairies echoed throughout the forest. Alexa looked up to see Cyrus’s weapon of choice and asked,
“So, what are playing cards going to do?”
Callista laughed and said, “a lot, surprisingly.”
Cyrus smiled and said, “you’d be surprised what a blessed metal coating does to a demon or ghost. Plus, Its compact fits nicely in a pocket. ”
“So, it’s one of a kind? That means family heirloom; that’s so cool.” Alexa reasoned.
“Yea, you can go with that.” Cyrus smiled at Callista as she nodded.
A small green light danced in front of the trio. Within seconds more lights danced around the trio, creating a rainbow. Callista and Alexa began to laugh while Cyrus gave off a grin. The fairies’ dance stopped, and they created an arrow pointing deeper into the forest. The trio was led to a carcass of an adult grey wolf. Surrounding it was fairies with tears pouring down their faces. Callista ran to a particular faerie as Cyrus strolled over to the body.
“Lady Callista’s snow paw he was. “The faerie continued to cry.
“Oh, poor Stella, how did this happen?”
“Snow paw protected our Village from a massive bear; he was dragged away; we followed slowly to this location to find his body.”
“Stella, if my friend is correct, it is not safe here. You need to head back; we got this.”
“I can’t; he is my friend. I can’t leave him.”
“Stella as the princess, you must take your people to safety. I will report what we find later.”
Cyrus, during the conversation, was busy investigating the body. The body lay on its side; as Cyrus looked at it, glance found the wolf’s shade closer to black than grey. The fairies’ light created shadows, but not on this wolf. Its teether was ripped out and thrown across the field. Alexa had also walked up to investigate, but Cyrus motioned her back. Cyrus thought for a moment and pushed the body over, so its underside faced up. Expecting a mortifying site, he covered Alexa’s eyes. But nothing, no blood, no organs, nothing remained of the wolf except a giant hole. A rustling in the distance began. Cyrus grabbed his deck of cards and said,
“All right, I suggest we get these fairies to safety. I’ll stay in the front with Callista and then all fairies in a single file line behind her. Alexa, you remain in the center to watch our flank and sides.”
The line was formed like a slow waltz. They began to walk with Callista whispering the directions to the faerie capital to Cyrus. With each step, or breath, a twig would snap, with each step, a noise or a voice,
“Cyrus, it’s me, Milla! Come to me!”
“Callista, it’s me, your sister Aris Dad is sorry. Please come home.”
“Alexa darling comes back to the Village.”
The trio heard each of these distinct voices. They called over and over, but unwavering Cyrus moved on. As they got closer to the light. It seemed a figure appeared in front of them. Flashes of a person in the trees, flashes of a person by the bushes. Then flashes appeared behind and sometimes even to the side. The silent forest suddenly grew to a crescendo of noises and movement. Birds cawed into the sky, while deer, in unison with bears, foxes, and wolves, ran with crazed frenzy away from some danger. The fairies began to panic due to the rapid changes in the forest. Cyrus motioned them to quiet their tears and screams, but it was too late. Before them, a pale-skinned man stood in front of them. Clothed in linen and adorned with red tattoos. The man grunted as he walked forward. Cyrus noticed one of the tattoos was off and as Callista readied her spear, he whispered,
“I need you to make a run for it with Alexa and the fairies to get them to safety. I got this. He finished with a grin as he walked forward. ”
They ran toward the faerie village. While the men remained eyes deadlocked.
What happened to you, shaman? The man said no words, grunted, then howled like a wolf. Cyrus blinked; the man had taken a step, but there wasn’t a man, only a monster. He blinked again, and the man returned, inching closer. With each blink and with each inch, the man changed forms. The wind howled, and the creature towered over Cyrus. This was not what Cyrus expected; the wendigo curse does not invoke a monstrous form, only a broken mind. Yet no longer a man, all that remained was a corrupted beast that stood mightily above Cyrus. His long lanky arms had auburn fur. His face had become a combination of wolf and moose. With a smile, his sharp rows of teeth glimmered. His large antlers black pointed skyward, looking him downward, a stench of death emitted from his exposed chest. Anyone looking at it would likely pass out from seeing the rib and chest bones. The same color fur on his hands went around the exposed chest. The creature’s feet were hooved, yet it sat on its knees, still hovering over Cyrus. A swipe from his arm sent Cyrus flying into the air and into a tree. Cyrus brushed off his jacket and, with a flick of his wrist, threw a card at the wendigo; as it roared in pain, it sprinted and jammed its shoulder into Cyrus, shoving him to the ground. Cyrus lay with the monster’s Slavia falling on his face; while this would usually end a man’s life, Cyrus seemed to smile and lash at the creature’s ankles with his card. He threw one to the ground in front of him and tossed a playing card at the beast but missed the creature, landing on the ground. The fight continued with Cyrus being thrown into trees and ground as the wendigo evaded Cyrus’s ranged attacks and seemed only glad to be hit by the close-range attacks. The clearing was littered with large sticks and playing cards. Cyrus wiped the blood from his face; his amber eyes began to glow as he recited a spell Cage de custodia (Cage of safekeeping). The playing cards on the ground formed a large rectangle and emitted a bright white light that raised to the sky. The creature tried to run out, but it was too late; it bashed against the light but could not break it. Cyrus let out a sigh of relief and placed the cards in his pocket.
“Forgive me for the pain I caused you, Cyrus said; I just couldn’t let you sink any further into madness.”
The creature continued to bang against the light harder and harder, with each hit producing cracks, but Cyrus simply sat unphased by the creature’s threats. The wendigo stood; it seemed to realize it lacked the strength to break out of this cage. Minutes passed as the human formed reappeared. This time instead of pale skin, the man had tan skin. Inspecting closer Cyrus saw the typical tribal tattoos, but strangely the shaman had a pentagram etched into his left hand and right shoulder.
“Welcome back, Amastan, seems you had quite the week.”
“Cyrus? Here! Ahhh!”
“Yea, Are those new Tattoos that I see?”
“Yes Yes! Black dress, red nails gave me. Said great power.”
“Oh, was she tall? Tiny horns.”
“Yes.”
“Amastan, Cyrus began as he picked up the card in front of him, releasing the wall of light. I need you to drink this for me, okay? I will make those new tattoos go away.”
“But power felt good.”
“I understand, but that’s terrible magic. Not good nature magic. ”
Amastan fell to his knees and began to cry,
“She said she was a fairy sent from Titi. I trusted. I.”
" Don’t cry; your warriors would disapprove, would they?” Cyrus said with a smile.
“Amastan got up and nodded.”
“Now buddy, what I need you to do is drink this,” Cyrus said as he pulled a vial from his pocket.
Amastan drank the white glowing liquid, and as the drops entered his mouth, the pentagram disappeared.
“There see, all better. Now run along back to your Village. Oh, and if a fairy with horns comes back, report it to your god, okay?”
Amastan nodded and gave Cyrus a firm handshake as he fled the scene. Cyrus picked up all the playing cards and began to shuffle his deck. As he did so, a black rose appeared at his foot. He scoffed and sighed. Moments later, Callista and Alexa’s arms wrapped around Cyrus.
“You’re alive. How! What!” Alexa said.
“You’d be surprised,” Callista said, rolling her eyes.
“All right, ladies, off,” Cyrus said as he moved their arms off him. “Are they okay?”
“Yes, home safe and sound. What of the Wendigo?”
“That was Amastan.”
“No, you’re lying.” Alexa said.
“I don’t know how or why, but it seems someone altered the wendigo curse to a more monstrous form. Amastan typically just needs medicine, something your mother is supposed to give to the people here, but it seems.”
“Seems what?”
Cyrus held up the black rose. She’s back, and I don’t know why.
Callista took a few steps back and began to visibly shake in fear.
“Call?” Alexa began. “What is wrong? It is just a black rose.”
“It’s not about the meaning; it’s about whom it’s from, but that’s for Cyrus to say, not me.” Callista said as she continued to shake.
“Cyrus?” Alexa questioned as she too began to shake.
Cyrus turned, and in front of him stood a woman in a long black dress, her long blood-red hair contrasted with her tiny black horns. Cyrus blinked, but she remained there.
The woman spoke,
“Dear child, why must you interfere?”
“Hmm not sure, honestly. Maybe I like meddling.” Cyrus said.
“That’s not the proper etiquette I taught you. You won’t bow to the queen?”
“Did you even teach me etiquette? I thought you taught me how to kill? Oh wait, that was dad. ”
“Do you dare mock me, son?”
“I dare to do a lot of things anymore, but you dint come here to tell me the obvious did you?”
“The fairies are mine, take your amazons and go and ill spare your side projects.”
“Oh, mother, I don’t have side projects, but that is quite a funny offer.”
“Cyrus, this is your last warning. Proceed this day on your crusade, and I will no longer protect you from what is to come.”
“Funny coming from you.” Cyrus said as he reached for a card.
The woman scoffed and vanished, leaving behind Black and red roses where she stood. Within this garden was a red and black quill with a green ruby heled in its center. Cyrus looked at it confused and conflicted, but choose to place it within his pocket to investigate it later.
What is that Cyrus? Callista asked.
“I do not know but it may be a clue or some kind of warning of her next target.” Cyrus said.
The trio quietly walked out of the forest; Cyrus’s amber eyes glowed with fire as Callista grabbed his hand and clutched it tight. The sun began to rise as the job was completed. The women entered the gates as Cyrus walked away and found a large tree to sleep in.
The three hours of sleep Cyrus did not come as he spent the night wondering about all the events that night had happened. He spent an hour trying to find pieces. Another hour trying to connect them, thirty minutes thinking about his love, and a thirty-minute nap before awoken by the words of Lydia,
“Throne room now!”
Cyrus and the queen entered the throne room. Callista sitting on her throne with Alexa by her side.
The queen sat on her throne and said,
“My daughters say the shaman was set free.”
“Yes, mam.” Cyrus said with a grin.
“Why?”
“Because he did no wrong, your majesty. Your negligence in doing your part of the deal caused it.”
“Excuse me, whom do you think you are talking to?”
“The one I gave the throne to forty years ago. I suggest you remember this, Lydia. The queen huffed then Cyrus continued,
“They needed you, and you failed them. I asked for no gold, no relationship, no place in your court, only that you lead this island with grace and peace, but it seems you have grown to be no different than what you call the savage men of this island.”
Callista let out a smile as Alexa readied her blade. The queen motioned for Alexa to lower her weapon.
“Now promise me this. You give that tribe their medicine.”
“Explain yourself.”
“Lilith is back and wants her island back by any means necessary.”
“You dare speak her name here!”
“I do, for only your daughter knows the truth.” The queen looked to her daughter with anger and fear.
“I betrayed her for your people’s sake.”
“You are her kin?”
“It matters little to this current conversation.” Cyrus said as he stood.
“Alexa! Kill this man!”
“Mom!” Callista protested.
“I won’t have him talk to me as if I was a commoner and bring that evil name in our court.”
“I mean, compared to my kingdom, you are.”
The queen’s face went pale as she stared dumbfounded.
“If you must know, my father was of noble blood. He led a kingdom sworn to an angel. He was told by that angel that he was not fit for the throne and that his wife was. In desperation, anger, and stupidity, my father made a deal with a demoness, had my mother killed, and chanced me from the capital. Cyrus’s words struck fear into the queen’s heart as she stood and began to cower.”
“Then you are the black rose sent from heaven? That legend. I thought my daughter read it from some book, but now I understand. I shall do as you ask and bid you a fine farewell on our most excellent merchant boat. May you spare my lineage to this throne despite my mistakes.”
Cyrus began to walk out of the throne room, but Callista’s voice turned him around.
“Cyrus! Callista called. I want to help. ”
“And you will, by protecting this island from anything else.”
“But the mainland needs my help.”
“I have my inner circle on the mainland. I need you here.”
Callista frowned, then nodded.
Cyrus headed to the docks. Cyrus did not need to look long for what ship would take him home for a familiar Captain Michael motioned for him to join his ship. Cyrus ignored most of the fishermen’s questions and comments about him. As he contemplated the threat at hand and his past and future circled in his mind, he dosed off in the boat’s sleeping quarters as he waited to arrive at Lionsguard.
