Nightclans (2 page)

“How's your partner Raven?” Raven smiled a little.

“Which one?” Wollfen laughed.

“You only have one nowadays girl, I know you.”

Raven took a big swig of her ale and let out a deep breath then looked away wistfully for a bit.  Then she got up, turned sideways on the bench and got close to Wollfen. Taking another gulp of her ale and setting it down she grabbed his hair cradling his head, not too softly either. She looked into his eyes.

“Another time or another place, I would have been happy to have you as mine you know.” Wollfen smiled a little, they had a camaraderie that could be mistaken for more by others and sometimes it made Wollfen wonder too. He looked at her studying her face, it was hard and lined by many years in the wilds. The scar was rather prominent but years ago she had been truly beautiful, he could see it. There still was beauty there in his eyes though.

“And you know, I may have let you too.”

They looked into each others eyes for a bit longer until Raven sighed once more and broke the gaze.

“Do you suppose life will ever change out here for us?”

He continued to look at her and noticed there seemed to be a tiredness there, a spiritual tiredness by his reckoning.

“I don't suppose it will, not anytime soon anyway.”  Again that sigh, Wollfen was a little concerned, “What's up Raven?”

She turned back to him looking deep into his eyes,

“I have been thinking too much of late I think, now that I spend far less time in camp and always out  on patrols or sentry duty it gives me a lot of time for reflection. I look back on my life, my loves, my losses, good and bad, all of it. Then I look around at everyone else and for the most part it is basically the same for all of them.” She was looking intently into his eyes again as she spoke, “Us women all get to see our husbands die before their time and sometimes even taste the pain of seeing our young boys fall too, I know we are supposed to take solace in their sacrifice that the rest of us may live, but sometimes, just sometimes, I don't think it's worth it.”

She rested her head on his shoulder and Wollfen put an arm around her.

“Am I wrong for feeling this way? Now and again I feel like jumping on my horse, taking Elith with me and riding away from it all, but then, what would I do? Where would I go? I'm too old to start anew somewhere else. This is my lot now.”

She took another swig from her mug then looked into it. Without waiting for an answer she stood up hitting Wollfen in the upper arm with her fist.

“I'm off to get a refill.”

Wollfen watched her walk off as he rubbed his shoulder, that would have to be the first time he had heard any Nightclan person talk like that. It was a surprise. He sat there feeling rather solitary, he didn't mind, it was his thing anyway.

It was always interesting to study those around him, being sober was certainly a different experience to what all the others were enjoying. Looking across to Ironside he noticed the man appeared to be passed out face down on his table. Well that was one way to enjoy a party he supposed. Would the man even remember anything of tonight? Probably not and he would be proud of the fact too.

The next morning found Wollfen asleep in the guest tent and alone, no others had managed to drag themselves back to their respective beds. In the clearing there were still a few men and women sitting at the tables arm in arm idly sipping ale, the wild partying had died down to a quiet time of staying drunk and mellow . As for the others, some were fast asleep on tables or under them. A sentry would pass through checking up on them but for the most part the place was quiet and strangely serene. Dawn had not yet broken but it would soon, the sky was light and the air had that cool crispness to it. Birds were stirring and starting to chirp.

Wollfen roused in his cot and looked about, damn he had a headache, where did that come from? He hadn't had much to drink at all. Must have been out of sympathy for the others he thought to himself. He didn't waste any time laying awake, pulling himself up and over the edge of the cot. It didn't take him long to pull on his boots and slip the new shirt on that he was given by Raven the evening before. It was a replacement for his damaged tunic. Outside Wollfen looked about at the scene before him, yes it was a typical after party mess, Raven stood nearby also observing the area. He closed in beside her and caught her eye,

“You survived my dear?” Raven smiled as she looked him up and down.

“Yes and you know what?” Wollfen shook his head, “You cut a dashing figure in all black, it suits you.” He chuckled.

“Black is an easy color to wear I am told.”

They both turned back to the scene before them. Then all of a sudden Raven took hold of Wollfen's hand and led him through the grove of trees, he wondered what she was up to? Finally after a few minutes she stopped and turned at a large boulder, it was at the base of a hill. Looking into his eyes, she spoke quietly so no one could hear,

“I want to leave and I want you to take me with you.” Wollfen was taken aback,

“I'm not sure I understand? Take you to another clan? What is it you need of me?” Raven stared unsure of her words but she tried to explain herself,

“No that's not it, I mean away from all Nightclans, to the west. I am tired of this life Wolfy, all the death and constant vigilance just to eke out a living, it has become too much for me.” Wollfen looked deep into her eyes and realized all of a sudden there was a fear there, but of what? This wasn't like Raven at all.

“What is it you fear Raven? Too many close calls with orcs?” She shook her head, that wasn't it.

“It's hard to explain,” She sighed and paused, but then she went on still a little scared to speak what she felt, “Wollfen, I feel I can be open with you but what I speak of is hard to tell.”

He placed his hands around her waist speaking quietly and delicately to her,

“Whatever it may be Raven, you know I will not take it lightly nor will I judge you for whatever you may feel.”

All the while he looked intently into her eyes, he hoped she took solace in that. She stared back and nodded slightly.

“It's just that I am scared to take off on my own, I don't know where to go or what to do, I need help.”

It took Wollfen a few seconds to digest what she was saying and it dawned on him. She was so used to this life, the harshness and the tribulations, the lifestyle was all she had ever known. In some sort of way she felt somehow safe dealing with what she knew. To leave here, to leave the Nightclan way of life would mean entering an almost alien world for her to the west, a place totally different in its way of life. Finally he nodded.

“I hear what you are saying and I understand. But what of  Elith? Does she feel the same way? Does she want to go with you?”

Raven shook her head and again that sad sigh of hers.

“No, she has no qualms about this life, she can't even begin to comprehend another. For her, this is all she could ever want. But that's fine, I have spoken to her a number of times about how I feel but she just thinks I'm crazy.”

“It puts you in a difficult position doesn't it? You are torn between wanting to leave and staying by her side.” Raven nodded once again.

“Yes, but if you let me be by your side then I will willingly go, she will be hurt  but she will understand.”

“You want to be with me?”

“I was hoping you would say yes Wolfy, I could make you happy you know? I know I would be happy with you, we have always gotten along very well together.”

Wollfen stared into those normally hard eyes, now they evoked a yearning he had never seen before, he lifted his hand to wipe at the start of tears there.

“You know I haven't had a partner since the death of my wife so many years ago, I have gotten used to being on my own. I still think of her.” Raven tilted her head forward and rested it on Wollfen's chest, she spoke once more from that position,

“I have known you for over ten years Wolfy, I don't know how long it has been since you lost her, but for how long can you mourn her passing?”

Wollfen felt his heart ache at this talk, had it been so long? His wife's death had been so many years before he had met Raven too. He thought back,  so many years he couldn't count anymore, he had forgotten. But why still the pain? Even now? No, maybe Raven was right, maybe it was time to get over it and move on. He lifted her chin up and looked into her eyes,

“I can't make any promises but you are right, there has to be a time for me to consider such things. You and I have been lovers from time to time and I know we are very compatible but know this, I am not saying yes though I am not saying no either. I have much to digest and consider, all I ask of you is to give me some time okay?” The grin on Raven's face threatened to split her face,

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Raven started covering his face with kisses and Wollfen giggled at the attention, it was funny, this wasn't the battle hardened orc killing warrior he knew.

Back in the camp grounds Ironside was walking around and spotted Raven with Wollfen coming in from the trees hand in hand, Raven seemed very pleased indeed. Ironside also noticed when he glanced over to where he knew Elith was that a sour look came over her face as she quickly departed. Mm, there was to be some shouting and pain soon, he was sure of it. Wollfen walked up to Ironside and stuck his hand out, Ironside accepted it,

“Congratulations Ironside, you have a son to be proud of. The ceremony last night showed he has true dedication for Spiritwing.” Ironside smiled.

“Proud I am Wollfen, proud I am. So what did you think of the ceremony? Have you seen one before?”

Wollfen shook his head, it had been a short but sweet affair to say the least, the couple had stood before each other in their finery looking deeply into each others eyes and the crowd stood watching gauging their love for each other. Then all of a sudden a murmur had started within the crowd that had grown into a chant of 'betrothed betrothed betrothed' until it had been a loud chorus. Finally the entire gathering had cried out loudly and cheered their acceptance of the two being together, it was done.

“It certainly was short but interesting Ironside, it was nothing like I had seen before I must admit.” Ironside felt he may have to explain it a bit more to him,

“What you wouldn't be aware of is that we Nightclan believe the marriage is set in the winds by our chanting and there in the winds, it cannot be broken. When we die, the bond continues on after too. Well, that's what we like to believe anyway.”

“It's a noble ideal, I like it.”

The three of them moved off towards an embering fire where a few people were milling around a stew which was bubbling in a large pot. They took their turns ladling some of it into bowls before returning to a table nearby. There the three sat and quietly ate. It wasn't long before Ironside grunted and looked to Wollfen.

“So what's the story with you two then?”

Wollfen looked to Raven before answering, she gave a look back and he turned to Ironside,

“We are not really sure yet, it is early days , but things may change soon.” Ironside couldn't help but shake his head.

“You two have known each other how many years? And you still aren't sure? Ha! Well make up your bloody minds will you? I am sure Elith would not like to be led along.” Raven looked quizzically at Ironside who explained, “She saw the two of you coming out of the woods over there, she didn't look happy at all.”

Wollfen and Raven looked to each other a little grimly. They didn't need to speak, each knew that a decision would need to be made and soon.

“I will speak to her in a bit, I shall tell her how I and Wolfy feel, she will not take it well at all though.”

Wollfen looked away thinking fast, he had hoped to leave and go back to Windere before making a decision but that would have been unfair on all parties involved. He turned back to Ironside staring into his face but not saying anything at first, then slowly he spoke,

“I am going to go away for a day, I shan't be far, I will return by midday tomorrow.” He turned and looked at Raven who understood why, she nodded in acceptance. Then without another word spoken he stood and left.

Later that day Wollfen sat on his horse at the top of a ridge looking out over the valley below, he had spent the entire time thinking of his recent life and the direction it was heading. In truth it hadn't been going anywhere really. Hooking up with Ravenwing would give him new purpose in life even if it was somewhat self serving. A different unknown path at least, it could be interesting.

Just at that moment he noticed some movement below him on the hillside. What was it? Animal? Person? He focused on the area patiently watching without moving, whatever it was it would betray it's presence in time. Sure enough after a minute it became clear what it was, an orc. Wollfen watched it slowly edge closer, it meant to attack him by the looks of it. He checked further afield watching to see if there were any others but nothing could be seen, it wasn't really that strange that an orc would attack a lone rider.

Wollfen had every intention of springing his own surprise attack on the beast before it had a chance to defend itself. Finally it got close enough still hiding in the underbrush but Wollfen was sure of its position, then without any warning he launched his horse forward and down the slope.  He was on the orc's position within seconds, his sword out and swinging in one fluid movement as the orc realized it had been spotted. It stood up with a crossbow coming to its shoulder but before the thing could fire a shot off its head had already come away from a hard swing of Wollfen's sword cutting clean through its neck. Black blood spraying into the air as the body of the thing fell forward, the crossbow sliding from its lifeless fingers. Wollfen didn't stop though, he raced on down the slope as having swung the sword he realized there were more orcs in hiding. Somehow he had missed them and he had to attack, there was no choice. Again he swung his sword low and out to the side as he passed another orc coming at him. It too fell as the blade bit deep into its arm and again Wollfen quickly recovered to see another orc coming in from the other side.