And now to tell a tale of old. Of a starting. Long ago the wulfs ran free, wild as any animal ever was. There was one female that’s coat was grey as mist and eyes of the lake that is blue. Her name was Starclaws a loner and explorer She once heard of a great being hidden deep within the mountain rocks above her forest glen. For months she traveled those rocks. Finding food and shelter plenty. Seasons came and went. In the fall of he night a might black wulf appeared. Strange and different they growled and snapped at each other not knowing each other. Slowly she felt a stirring and knew this was her mate of life. Once the actions of wulf ways was done they traveled as one. One full moon a shadow passed over head and a strange scent filled the air. Both felt a tingle travel through their hair. Neither knew what it was nor what to make of it. she struck out to follow him close behind.
Only to be caught in a strange quick spiny snow. Then fate cruelly dealt its hand a rock shifted under her mates feet. And started him to lose footing. In the wind and snow he fell to the rocks below. The pain she felt was overshadowed by the instinct of survival for the storm worsened tenfold within those few seconds. Crashing through the snow where pockets between the rocks lay hidden she searched for shelter. Sudden the sweet scent seconds before the storm returned. Quickly she followed it. she felt warmth and calmness now, only she didn’t know understand why.
A dark cave floated quickly in her sight as the wind tore at Her move around there. Into the cavern she ran. Exhausted and cold she collapsed upon the floor and rests. Only then did she start to remorse for the one she had lost. And then realized no name he had given. She knew many with no name. she was one as well, but that would change for she was with pup and new mother’s name would be needed. Sleep came quickly to her. Energy spent, Emotions overflowing. The sweet embrace of darkness in the form of sleep came and she welcomed it to silence her heart and take her somewhere else.
When she woke. It was as if time had passed slowly. A sweet smell of pine and something else drifted in from the back of the cavern. And slowly she heard not with her ears but with her mind the worlds of “Little sister are you awake?” this startled her and she growled. But again came words she understood “Little one, fear not you are in my home and being so is well protected”
This calmed her little but the next moment a soothing softness was felt in her mind. A softness which she had only to fall warmly into and sleep once more took her. Dreams of the forest, hunting and her mate drifted in and out as the tide.
Next when she woke a fresh killed dear laid next to her. Steam still drifted from the corpse in the still cold spring air. A rumble/scraping she heard & felt as well in the rocks put her on her guard once more. And again words came to her mind “Little sister you must eat to be well. Your pups to be depend on it.”
Startled she looked into the shadows to make out a large shape she had never seen before. Snapping and defensive she rose to defend or attack which ever it took.
But words again came this time soothing and warm “Sister you need not fear me. For I wish to help. See I even brought you food”. She only slightly relaxed but cautiously took to the meal ever watching and waiting for deception. The dear tasted the best she ever could recall. And then sleepy and full she slept once more even as much as she fought to be on guard sleep on the battle that time.
Sun shining in the entrance. Upon a traipsing breeze the scent of the being awoke her. To find the rest of the deer had been removed and four rabbits now rested in its place. Finding her self hungry she ate. Seeing a pool of snow water she drank. Slowly she stretched and not sensing anything she followed the scent into the mountain deeper than any cave she had gone into before. The sweet pine and other smells grew stronger. Turning a corner a lighted cavern could be seen. In the way of wulfs she crept closer to see inside.
She yelped silently at what she saw. One of the old ones. Black as the night. Silvery grey marked his edges and details. Touches of reddish back tipped the profile she saw. He seemed to be asleep. But the words in her head told otherwise.
“I know your smell Little one. Please sister come out and learned to talk. Come and we will make a deal. You will want more to eat soon. and you
should not hunting in your state. I will do so for you”
These words struck her soul and she stepped out from where she hid.
A wulf grey as mist eyes as the deepest lake blue she stood majestic and proud. Daring him to move or do something. Instead he opened his eyes.
And spoke “Little sister, my name is Imperious and I am old. But I can still hunt and fight. I will raise yours as my own and teach them well. I shall protect you as long as you are with me. And in old age will give you release when you ask.” This pleased her and she barked. To that he shook his head and showed her in her mind how to talk to him. and then taught her to howl. Weeks of teaching went by and the pups came. The first mothers of the tribes. One black as night called Soulstealer. One grey as her mother calked Mistwalker. One white as the snow which took
their father called Winterwind. And one red called Wildfire. These are the four mothers of the Wulf Clans. These each went different ways. The Black to the forests to live and hunt. Grey to the mountains to search and explore. White to the fields of snow to look for those lost. And Red to the plains and flat lands to gather useful ideas and ways of others.
As they grew the dragon and their mother taught them all the wulf ways and how to speak with others and howl. And teach that their place was to guard the lairs of dragons using their talents to warn of harm and such. Roving in packs spreading news and information. Alone and yet not alone. No longer animals but beings that understood.
In the years to pass the “grand” mother died and the dragon placed her into the Stars for all to see but in a place a few to go. So she can watch and also hide. To this day she still does so.
A companion for a dragon.
The village sent her forth to
Appease the Dragon’s soul.
A young lady sweet and nice
Innocent to the world and yet
Now her world is to end.
Dragon old and wise. Comes to
See who is brought to him this day.
His eyes see, his heart jumps and
The crowd runs, the lady screams and
Faints. And yet gently he carries her.
Within his place he puts her upon
A soft silken pile of cloth to rest.
Slowly silently he waits within
The shadows for her to arise and waken
She stirs unknowing. Looking forth
Through half-closed eyes. Searching.
Slowly she sits up dazed in the fact
She is still alive. And yet scared she might be.
He waits and walks from the Shadows.
As her eyes reflect her thoughts and troubles.
He shifts into her form. As an older
one he softly steps into her sight.
She sees a man older than herself and he
Step out somewhere. She awaits his
Voice or more words. Not sure what to do.
He sees her hesitate and softly welcomes
Her into his home. And reflects she will be safe.
Her mind whirls at the sound of his voice soft
Yet powerful. Old and knowing she listens.
He offers her food and drink. She partakes
Automatic like no tasting only the motions.
Slower her senses clear and the questions
Start as a dam that has broken and let the waters go.
Quickly and are the answers he gives
Almost as if he already know the questions.
Time passes she stays with him.
Learning to care for him and waiting for
him to return when he goes away from time to time.
Seasons past and the girl grows
Quickly into a woman. One that
Any man would be envious to have.
Upon her 21st year her friend told
Her he would tell her his name and
Secret. But only if she agreed to stay.
She had grown closer to him than
Anyone else she had ever known. In the
Seasons since she was given up to the dragon.
That day was never discussed nor
mentioned. But now she felt it was
Time to ask for the truth.
Upon her day of age she awoke to find
A grand dress and jewelry laid out for
Her to wear.
As she entered the main cavern She
Saw candles and Jewels sparkling as
Lights in the night sky.
A single chair had been placed
In the center of the floor.
His voice came from every where yet
Nowhere and asked her to sit.
Doing so She noted the Light seemed
To end Just beyond her sight and all
Was cast in darkness within the twinkling.
She called forth to him for the reason
Of this. And why on this day was
The memories of the past returning.
Slow from behind her she heard him
Move. His voice filled with emotion.
He told her of bring her here. Watching
Her awaken. And grow into what
She had become.
She asked what he meant For didn’t
The dragon fight within for her.
He stated that he fought the dragon
But from the inside was the hardest battle.
She wondered at this statement.
And turned to see him.
She jumped to her feet when the dragon’s
Face she saw. And yet she reached for
Him as she saw her friend’s eyes within that face
As she reach forth. He spoke his
Voice cracking with emotion.
He spoke of the day he saw her. How
His heart and soul cried out.
He spoke on the seasons they had shared
And the bond each had found within the other.
Her eyes shed tears and a smile lit her face
Realizing that had happened and yet seeing
What he feared as the ends of a beginning.
Slowly the hurt and loneliness left his
Eyes as she watched a spark grow to replace
What was.
Softly he asked her to stay with him
To be his companion and friend.
Then she laughed loud and quick. So
Much he Jumped at that heart felt sound.
With girlish glee and a woman’s seductiveness
She looked at him and answered she would.
As if chains had broken from him he
Felt Free and no longer alone.
As the years passed they traveled words
And places.
Legends of a lady and an old seer were
formed. And yet no one ever quite ventured
correctly.
She grew and cared for her friend. As age
Creeped into her body his love equaled any
Ever written of.
Upon her 90th year she weakened
His love nor magic could not save her.
And so again he is alone. Waiting
For some one to be the one for him.
Perhaps you will be hat one.
Only time and his heart can tell.
And yet maybe he has already
told his heart. But fears to ask you.
For if you answer no his world will
Darken and yet a yes will open it
Once again.
Does he dare take the chance. Or will he
Remain with memories and time never
To step forth again.
For you see he knows time is
only so long with someone. And
it hurts to lose love again and again.
We must wait and see. For your
Words will decide for him.
Word it well for he awaits to decide.
***
The dragon stirs in sleep
The companion calls
And he stirs awake
Another enters and smiles
He slowly opens his eyes
The companion calls again
He smiles in comfort with her
The other takes his notice
She Fears with in her past.
He moves away so she relaxes
The companion requests
The dragon nods studyingly
The other slowly calms
The companion proves his kindness
The other joins
The Dragon stands knowingly
As to start the long journey
Both see him needed for.
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