Tales of the Wolf: Book 01 - The Coming of the Wolf (44 page)

Anasazi asked, “Don’t have much time for what?”

“For finding a suitable place to haunt. We are spirits now or what mortals call ghosts. We need to find a place to haunt for the rest of eternity.”

“But why aren’t you in the realm of Luna?”

The red tail hawk that was Red Crow became agitated. It wings flapped angrily and it hopped around on one foot. “Trust me, old friend. There will be time to explain all of this later. Right now we need a place to haunt that will help the Chosen One in his struggle against the enemy. Any suggestions?”

Anasazi rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. “What are the requirements?”

Red Crow looked at the other hawk for a moment.

When the other hawk replied, his voice was soft and had the undeniable accent of an elf. “As far as I know, there isn’t any. Red Crow insisted that we visit you first for any suggestions. But we only have an hour to choose our location before that choice is taken from us and we are sentenced to whatever location we are in when the time runs out.” 

The hawk that was Eldath looked at the sun. “That time is almost up. Judging from the sun, I would guess we have less than a quarter hour remaining.”

“Any suggestions?” Red Crow asked. “We need someplace that we can assist the Chosen One in his coming battle.”

Anasazi thought for a moment and then an idea hit him. “As far as you know, there are no restrictions?”

Eldath shook his head. “With the exception of another living creature, no.”

Reaching down, Anasazi pulled out his blood-brother’s satchel. “Then use this. It is a magical pouch given to me by Lakota, Hawkeye’s father, many years ago. As far as I know, it doesn’t have a limit in size. I can store an unknown amount of stuff in it and it never changes shape, size or weight. I believe it actually opens onto another dimension but I am not sure.”

Red Crow cocked his head sideways. “How can that help the Chosen One?”

Anasazi smiled. “Simple. When he is born I will give it to him and he will be able to take you with him no matter where he travels. It would be better than being anchored to one place on Terreth and him having to travel to see you.” 

The two possessed hawks looked at each other for a brief moment and then with a quick nod of their head they left their mortal host. A swirling gray mist flowed out of their beaks and into the satchel. The two hawks looked around for a brief moment before launching themselves into the sky.

The ancient shaman watched as the majestic birds flew into the morning sky.

For some reason, the fiery sky seemed less daunting and so did the future of the Highland Nation. Now, he knew what must be done to help the two lovers. Gathering his medicine bundle, he walked back down the mountainside with a spring in his step and a smile on his face.

He had climbed the mountain looking for inspiration. Instead, he had found two things that were more important. Allies against the coming darkness in the form of two spirits but more importantly he had found hope. And that was the one thing they all needed the most, hope for the future. For without hope, all would be lost.

On the eve of the Yuletide Festival, all was peaceful.

A gentle breeze was blowing from the north, but the snow had stopped, for now. The heavy clouds that had blanketed the sky for the last several days had parted to reveal the crescent moon. With the exception of those on guard duty, the whole village had turned out for the wedding.

A small group of Dwarves led by Midach Bonecrusher had arrived earlier that day. Balder, Alder and twenty other dwarves had accompanied him to the union of the Highland Nation’s greatest heroes, Kamots Hawkeye the Wolflord and Tatianna Amarth the Red Eagle.

The ceremony was held in the mouth of the Cave of Luna. Standing in the opening, bathed in the light of the crescent moon, Anasazi almost looked godlike. His long silver hair hung loose and seemed to blend with the white robes he wore.

As was the custom, Hawkeye was seated at his side cross-legged and dressed in his finest battle array with his weapons laid to the side but within easy reach. The Wolflord looked very regal. He alternated between singing a love ballad in his native tongue or playing a lilting melody on an intricately carved flute. Hawkeye’s voice was deep and strong, while the flute’s sounds were soft and gentle, with a slight lilting or whistling tone. Both imparted the love Hawkeye felt for Tatianna. It had taken Hawkeye over a month to carve the traditional love flute out of ash wood. It was over a foot long and had intricate carvings of a running wolf chasing an eagle in front of the crescent moon along the body of the flute. Attached to one end were three tail feathers from a red-tailed hawk and some white wolf hair.

Just as the sun’s last light crested the peaks of the mountains surrounding Itasca, everyone heard a loud voice answering Hawkeye’s song. It was Tatianna’s. Her voice cut through the cold evening air like a warm breeze carrying the hint of spring on its tones. She sang in her native tongue of Elvish, which no one understood except Anasazi. Even though those gathered couldn’t understand the words she sang, they could understand the love that her song held.

The gathering of Highlanders parted way as she approached the path to the Cave of Luna and the man she loved. Since neither her own father, nor Red Crow her adopted father, were here to escort her she had asked Midach Bonecrusher to accompany her ascent to the cave. Towering over the massive dwarf, they made an interesting pair as they made their way through the crowd.

Reaching the top, he placed her hand on Hawkeye’s waiting arm. Smiling at the young couple, Midach whispered. “May Bromios also bless your union.”  With that simple blessing, he turned and joined his companions.

Kneeling, the lovers lowered their heads. Lifting his face to the heavens, Anasazi raised his voice. “Luna! Goddess of the Moon and Protector of the Highland Nation please hear my words!” 

Pausing, Anasazi cried out again. “Aurora! The gracious Lady of the Morning and Mistress of the Elves, please hear my words! We humble mortals stand before you and ask for your blessing on this holiest of unions between Kamots Hawkeye of the Highland Nation and Tatianna Amarth of the Elves. They have declared their love for each other to me and now they will declare it to you and the world.”  Placing his hand on Hawkeye’s shoulder, Anasazi nodded.

Hawkeye lifted his face toward the heavens. “Luna, Aurora, and even Hecate, the Lady of Darkness, we have met once before and on that occasion I declared my love for Tatianna to the three of you. Nothing has changed except one thing.”  Pausing, he looked into Tatianna’s beautiful sky blue eyes. “I love her more today than yesterday. And so it will be greater still tomorrow.” He looked back to the heavens. “I ask for your blessing on our marriage.”

As he finished, Hawkeye glanced back at Tatianna. She was crying. He was about to say something, when Anasazi interrupted. “Tatianna, it is your turn.”

Flashing a quick smile and a wink at Hawkeye, she turned her face to the heavens. “Aurora my goddess, please hear my call. I have served you since birth. It gives me great pride in knowing you and your sisters chose me to bear your son, the one foretold in the ancient prophecies. I humbly ask for your blessing on my wedding to the man you chose to be his protector. For I love Kamots Hawkeye without reservation. He is the most honorable, most caring, the most loving man I have ever known. Please, grant us your blessing.”

Taking out a small ceremonial dagger, Anasazi held it out towards the couple. One at a time, the two lovers slit their right thumbs on the dagger’s sharp edge. Placing their thumbs together, Anasazi bound their thumbs together with a leather cord. Speaking loudly, Anasazi’s voice was full of pride and happiness. “Just as your blood is now one, so shall you two be as one. Live now and forever, as one flesh.” 

Hawkeye leaned over and gently kissed Tatianna. A great cheer went up from the gathered Highlanders. Turning toward the gathering, Tatianna and Hawkeye raised their bound hands high in the air. The crowd howled and screamed in happiness.

Suddenly, a shrill note echoed loudly over the cheering crowd and everyone fell silent. They knew what that simple note meant. They had dreaded hearing it but at the same time, they were slightly relieved to hear it. It meant their wait was over, Blackfang and his army had arrived.

The Highland Nation was going to war.

Everyone reacted quickly to the alarm, running to his or her assigned tasks. Within moments the newlyweds were alone with Anasazi.

Hawkeye and Tatianna knelt down as the old shaman placed his hands on each of their foreheads. Lifting his face skyward, he spoke in a clear voice. “May Luna’s blessed light always shine on you two. The Gods have blessed your union. Go and confront your destiny as one.” 

Lowering his hands, Anasazi turned his back on the lovers and walked deeper into the cave.

Hawkeye unwrapped the cord which bound their thumbs together and spoke first. “I love you.”

Tatianna flashed him a crooked smile. “I love you too.”  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him close. “Just be careful, I don’t want to become a wife and a widow on the same day.”

“Don’t worry my love. It is not my destiny to die today.”

Tatianna raised her left eyebrow. “And how do you know that?”

“Because I know how I’m going to die!”

She threw her arms up in frustration. “What a calming reassurance that is! You know how you’re going to die? And how do you know that?”

Hawkeye shrugged his shoulders. “Luna has shown me.”

“Would you mind letting your wife in on the secret?”

“Maybe, at another time and another place.”  Kissing her quickly Hawkeye said, “I must go. My brother is waiting.” 

“Okay! Go! Just come back to me in one piece.”

“I will.”        

Hawkeye gathered his weapons and sprinted to the Lodge of the Moon where his war council would be gathered. Striding in, everyone fell silent. Odovacar, Nilrem, Chewda and Midach were studying a rough map of the area, Hawkeye noticed a young brave of the Raven tribe standing nearby.

Realizing Hawkeye’s unspoken question, Odovacar pointing at the young brave. “This is Dark Arrow, Corax’s son. It was he who first spotted the army coming from the south.”

Turning to study the young man, Hawkeye noticed the family resemblance to his father in his face and confident stance. “I’m sorry about the loss of your father. He was a great warrior and he will be sorely missed.”

Dark Arrow nodded his head. “Thank you Wolflord.”

Turning back to the business at hand, Hawkeye pointed at the deerskin map. “Now, what did you see?”

Pointing at the hills about twenty miles south of the village, Dark Arrow explained. “A large army consisting mostly of gnomes and cyclops are moving north slowly. I would estimate the total attacking force to be three thousand strong.”

The red bearded dwarf Midach interrupted. “How many of those are one-eyes?”

“Probably five hundred; I would guess about fifteen hundred goblins, the rest a combination of gnomes, dark elves and highlanders.”

Nodding his head, Hawkeye rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Any trolls?”

Dark Arrow shook his head. “Not that I saw.”

“Have they sent out any flanking troops?”

“None that I could see, however we have more scouts out right now but none have returned.”

“At their present speed, how long before they reach the village?”

“I would guess midnight or maybe a few hours past.”

Hawkeye slapped the young brave on his shoulder.  “Thank you Dark Arrow. You’ve done a great job. Now get some rest. We will need your strength all too soon.”

“Thank you Wolflord.”  

Nilrem spoke up. “What do you think?”

Hawkeye began to pace. Rubbing his chin slightly, he muttered to himself. “What would Blackfang do? That is the question. He knew we would have flyers in the air. He knew we would spot him, giving us ample time to prepare. What is he up to?’

Nilrem interrupted his thoughts. “Wolflord? Excuse me, Hawkeye what do you think Blackfang will do?”

Hawkeye looked up. “That’s a very good question, my friend.” 

Moving over to the deerskin map, he pointed at the forest just south of the village. “My guess is that Blackfang knew we would discover him and see any complicated plans he might try with his troops. My best guess is that he plans just to plow right through the forest and right over us, a straight frontal attack.”

Midach Bonecrusher spoke up. “He wouldn’t do that! It would be too costly to his troops!”

Hawkeye flashed the diminutive, yet deadly dwarf a grim smile. “That’s exactly what he’s planning to do. Don’t forget, he doesn’t care about the lives of his troops. They are like badly constructed arrows to him, something to be used and then discarded.” 

Nodding his head, Hawkeye continued. “Yes, he’ll go for a frontal attack; probably tonight, when it’s dark. That way his gnome and shadow elf troops can get the best use of their night vision.”

Odovacar asked, “How do you want us deployed? At last count, there were only about a thousand warriors in Itasca.”

Looking at his friend, Hawkeye could tell that the young Boar Warlord was scared. They all were.

Hawkeye slapped Odovacar on the shoulder. “Three to one odds. It just doesn’t seem fair.”

He could see that the other warlords were thinking along the same lines by the tightness around their eyes and their grim expressions. “Do you think we ought to give them a chance to surrender?”

This got a laugh from everyone and he could feel the tension in the lodge lessen slightly at his joke. Looking around at those gathered he saw the combined looks of hope, fear, excitement and dread on each of the faces around him. He knew very few of them had ever been in a war before; most had only fought in small battles, those with twenty or fifty combatants. The sheer size of the army confronting them is what scared them the most.

Raising his voice, Hawkeye said in a loud and clear voice. “Everyone, listen up! I know we stand against an army at least three times our size. I also know that sheer numbers can play a big part in battle but we are the mighty Highland Nation; chosen by Luna herself, to guard and raise the child foretold. He must live to grow strong enough to combat the ancient evil that once more roams across our land.”