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CHAPTER 5 -
The morning dawned cold and damp. A light rain had begun the night before and had turned to sleet by the time everyone had awoke at Meriahs cottage. Maggie was up before anyone, making tea and worrying about the matters of the night before. The rest of the household began to stir with the first faint light, if anyone could discern that sunrise as being light at all. They all sat sleepily at the table, drinking their morning tea and having breakfast. On these colder mornings Maggie liked to feed everyone heartily, so the rest of the day didnt seem so harsh. Breakfast this morning consisted of eggs, ham from the pig her father had given to them, fresh baked bread, and good, strong tea. For all her efforts, no one ate much of what was set before them. They were still disturbed from thoughts of the creature which had eaten Billys cow the night before. Jon ate well, however, for he had already nearly forgotten his fright from the previous night.
Meriah finally broke the silence, Well, I guess with this weather, that trip to Imellias will have to wait. Adam looked rather angered at this bit of insight, but he kept quiet about it. He knew it would do no good to anyone to go slogging through the forest, getting soaked through, just to investigate something that could wait another day. He and Stephan would just have to work on more furnishings for the addition to the cottage. Small work which could be done inside. As the day wore on, though, his annoyance was plain to everyone, and Bronwyn was nearly ready to toss him out into the wet just to get him out of her way.
After bumping into him for the third time, and getting a growl for it, she snapped at Adam, Why dont you go out and check the stock, make sure everything is fine with them.
Fine, Adam mumbled, and stalked out the door. Bronwyn turned to Meriah with exasperation in her voice and said, What are we going to do with him if this weather keeps up ? He is being simply horrid and grumpy, and I am tired of it.
Meriah grinned, and said, Well, if he keeps it up, well just send him off on some errand. If he wishes to get wet, and be a pain in the backside, then he can go be a pain to someone else. I know, she smiled mischievously, well send him to see how Biddy is doing. See if she needs anything. That ought to keep him busy for the rest of the day, if I know Biddy at all.
Bronwyn laughed, Youd put that on poor Biddy ? Hasnt she got herself enough problems right now ? Meriah laughed, then, too.
The rain didnt let up at all, and the day grew colder yet, turning the ground in the damp forest to sheets of ice, before the rain turned to snow. That night, Stephan decided to see if he could get Adam out of his mood. He found Adam in the new addition, working on a small chest he was building for Meriah to carry her herbs and ointments in. Her old bag had gotten rather threadbare, and he had figured she needed something more sturdy.
He had the basic design done, and was now carving figures into the lid - deer, birds, curls and leaves. The carving was intricate work, and it kept his mind from wandering to places he didnt want it to go. The animals and foliage all blended together to make a beautiful design on the chest lid.
Stephan came in and sat down opposite him in one of the new chairs they had built. He watched the process of carving for awhile, and Adam didnt seem to notice he had even entered the room. When Adam took a moment to stop and inspect his work before continuing on, Stephan took the opportunity to speak.
Adam, he began, can we talk ?
Adam looked at Stephan, and said, Talk about what ? He turned to his pile of tools next to him, looking for a smaller chisel than the one he held.
Well, how about we talk about why youre so tied up about this wolf ? Stephan said. Adam looked as if he were going to snap off some answer to shut Stephan up, but then he stopped himself, and sighed.
I dont know, he said finally.
Well, there must be something that makes you so upset by this whole affair. I mean, you are really upset by this, more so than any of the rest of us.
Adam thought for a moment, and said, I guess it is just that I cant explain this wolf, this thing, whatever it is. I like to have everything easy to explain, easy to understand. This thing defies understanding. It isnt natural.
All of my life has been spent in this forest. He swept his arm outwards for emphasis, Meriah may call it her forest, but it is my forest, also. It is my home, the whole of it. And now my home has been invaded by some foreign creature, which cannot be explained away as a natural occurrence. I feel as if someone, or some thing, has threatened my home, and my people, and I dont know how to fight something like that wolf. Blackthorne was human, I can fight a human, I can fight any animal. This isnt either of those, Im afraid.
He paused and sighed again, Afraid, maybe thats it. You know how I hate to fear anything, and this thing scared me last night. I felt like a child who has woken from a nightmare, afraid the beasties and demons are coming for me. Only it wasnt a dream, I wasnt asleep, and the beasties and demons were real. I dont like it, Stephan, I dont like it at all.
Stephan sat and looked at his friend. This was probably the longest speech he had ever heard Adam utter. He could finally begin to understand what bothered Adam so much about this, though. His friend was a simple man, from simple folk, and this business was not simple. It was Otherworldly, and it didnt fit with Adams view of his world.
Adam went back to carving, and Stephan left him to his work. He went back out into the main room and sat at the table, across from Bronwyn who was working some blackwork on a dress-front she was planning to give to Rebecca for her birthday. Stephan just sat watching and staring at Bronwyn, thinking. Finally Bronwyn looked up at him and asked, What ?
What ? Stephan answered back, looking confused.
Yes, what ? Youve been staring at me for a half and hour, now. What ?
Stephan frowned a bit, then asked, Would - no, he left off, thinking harder. How, um, how would one go about destroying a werewolf ?
Bronwyn looked at Stephan as if he had grown a second head. She laughed then and said, Has Adam gotten you to believing in werewolves, now, too?
Stephan smiled, Well, it may not be a werewolf, but it is something, and it doesnt seem a normal wolf, so How do you destroy a werewolf ?
Ye Gods, I dont know ! Bronwyn laughed at him, Ask Mother, she knows more about magickal creatures than I do. She turned smiling at Meriah, who had sat listening to the entire exchange without saying a word.
Meriah, however, was not smiling, but looked seriously at them both. Bronwyn faltered, then, and the smile began to drop from her face. Oh, Mother, you dont honestly believe this to be a werewolf, do you ?
Stranger things have come to this wood than that, Meriah said.
Like what ? Bronwyn asked. She had lived her whole life in this forest, and not once recalled anything so strange as this.
Have your travels taught you nothing, Daughter ? Have your experiences with Blackthorne, and Jack and Dylan the Watcher not given you any clue that this world is larger than your understanding might be ?
Bronwyn was chastened. It was true, Blackthorne had defied every knowledge she had of the world, and Jack had widened that feeling of ignorance even more, but werewolves? It was too much to believe.
Meriah continued, Girl, I am not saying this creature is a werewolf. I am not saying it isnt, either. Im saying it isnt a wolf. I know wolves. It doesnt act like a wolf, from all accounts it doesnt look like a wolf, and considering it is tied to Imellia, I wouldnt doubt anything told to me of its origins.
Stephan watched them both, and listened intently. Adam had come to stand in the doorway, to listen also. Maggie sat trying not to hear anything said of magickal creatures and women who threatened her safe existence.
Adam finally spoke, So, Forestwife, how do you destroy a werewolf ?
Meriah looked at him and then rose, moving to sit at the table, and motioning for all of them to join her. All did, except Maggie, who pretended to be too intent on her spinning to have noticed the conversation at all.
Well, Meriah began, first you determine what its nature is. Is it a wolf who has been spelled, is it a man who has been spelled, or is it some construct purely from the creators own energy. We must find out what it began as, and turn it back again to what it ought to be.
Whats a construct ? Stephan asked.
A construct is a thought-form, or a fetch, Meriah answered, It is pure energy, and is created to do a job, and do it so well that none can hinder its purpose. Considering the source it is tied to, Imellia, I doubt we have that to worry about.
Is she really that inept, Mother ? Bronwyn asked, I mean, it has been awhile since she was your student, perhaps she found a teacher willing to give her the means to create something such as this.
Bah, Meriah scoffed, something like this takes more skill and discipline than that snippet holds in her whole being.
Adam was very intent on this turn of conversation, and finally he asked Meriah, Could you do it ?
Meriah seemed surprised that he would even ask, Now why would I want to do something like that ?
Adam shrugged, I dont know, maybe to fight Imellias creature. Meriah sighed and looked as if she were about to begin a long speech on the ethics of magickal creatures.
It isnt that simple, Adam, she finally said.
Nothing seems to be very simple these days, Adam said sarcastically. Then angrily he continued, If you have the skill to defeat this creature, why arent you doing it ? Im tired of hearing how you cant do this, and you cant do that, or it isnt right, or whatever excuse you give. I want to know, Forestwife, can you do it or not ?
Ill thank you not to take that tone with me, young man, Meriah said haughtily.
Adam still glared angrily at Meriah, but said no more, just sat waiting for her reply.
Meriah sat for a bit, not saying anything, then finally stated, Yes, I can. The proper question is, will I.
Then will you ? Adam asked.
As I said before, the first thing we must do is to find out the nature of this beast. If it is a wolf, or a man, then No, I will not. I will not fight unfairly with a creature, man or beast, who is as much a victim, in all of this, as anyone is.
Adam rolled his eyes and looked at the ceiling. Meriah shook her finger at him, And youll not speak to me in that manner again, Adam, or I will give you the thrashing youve been asking for.
Im sorry, he muttered. It just seems that no one is inclined to do anything about this business, and it just gets worse and worse. What has to happen before you take action, Meriah ?
Meriah sat and pondered this question a moment, choosing her answer very carefully. I will see what I can see, and we will go from there. Now, all of you get off to bed. Its late and its cold and damp and I dont need to be tied to your bedsides when you catch some chill. They all left Meriah sitting at the table.
Maggie was more than willing to go and hide her head beneath the warm quilt. She had tried not to listen, but couldnt help herself. All the talk of fetches and werewolves had her laying awake til the early morning hours. Therefore, she was the only one to peek out of her covers and see Meriah working with her orb, the glow from it lighting the main room as the sun hadnt been able to that day.
The morning dawned cold and damp. A light rain had begun the night before and had turned to sleet by the time everyone had awoke at Meriahs cottage. Maggie was up before anyone, making tea and worrying about the matters of the night before. The rest of the household began to stir with the first faint light, if anyone could discern that sunrise as being light at all. They all sat sleepily at the table, drinking their morning tea and having breakfast. On these colder mornings Maggie liked to feed everyone heartily, so the rest of the day didnt seem so harsh. Breakfast this morning consisted of eggs, ham from the pig her father had given to them, fresh baked bread, and good, strong tea. For all her efforts, no one ate much of what was set before them. They were still disturbed from thoughts of the creature which had eaten Billys cow the night before. Jon ate well, however, for he had already nearly forgotten his fright from the previous night.
Meriah finally broke the silence, Well, I guess with this weather, that trip to Imellias will have to wait. Adam looked rather angered at this bit of insight, but he kept quiet about it. He knew it would do no good to anyone to go slogging through the forest, getting soaked through, just to investigate something that could wait another day. He and Stephan would just have to work on more furnishings for the addition to the cottage. Small work which could be done inside. As the day wore on, though, his annoyance was plain to everyone, and Bronwyn was nearly ready to toss him out into the wet just to get him out of her way.
After bumping into him for the third time, and getting a growl for it, she snapped at Adam, Why dont you go out and check the stock, make sure everything is fine with them.
Fine, Adam mumbled, and stalked out the door. Bronwyn turned to Meriah with exasperation in her voice and said, What are we going to do with him if this weather keeps up ? He is being simply horrid and grumpy, and I am tired of it.
Meriah grinned, and said, Well, if he keeps it up, well just send him off on some errand. If he wishes to get wet, and be a pain in the backside, then he can go be a pain to someone else. I know, she smiled mischievously, well send him to see how Biddy is doing. See if she needs anything. That ought to keep him busy for the rest of the day, if I know Biddy at all.
Bronwyn laughed, Youd put that on poor Biddy ? Hasnt she got herself enough problems right now ? Meriah laughed, then, too.
The rain didnt let up at all, and the day grew colder yet, turning the ground in the damp forest to sheets of ice, before the rain turned to snow. That night, Stephan decided to see if he could get Adam out of his mood. He found Adam in the new addition, working on a small chest he was building for Meriah to carry her herbs and ointments in. Her old bag had gotten rather threadbare, and he had figured she needed something more sturdy.
He had the basic design done, and was now carving figures into the lid - deer, birds, curls and leaves. The carving was intricate work, and it kept his mind from wandering to places he didnt want it to go. The animals and foliage all blended together to make a beautiful design on the chest lid.
Stephan came in and sat down opposite him in one of the new chairs they had built. He watched the process of carving for awhile, and Adam didnt seem to notice he had even entered the room. When Adam took a moment to stop and inspect his work before continuing on, Stephan took the opportunity to speak.
Adam, he began, can we talk ?
Adam looked at Stephan, and said, Talk about what ? He turned to his pile of tools next to him, looking for a smaller chisel than the one he held.
Well, how about we talk about why youre so tied up about this wolf ? Stephan said. Adam looked as if he were going to snap off some answer to shut Stephan up, but then he stopped himself, and sighed.
I dont know, he said finally.
Well, there must be something that makes you so upset by this whole affair. I mean, you are really upset by this, more so than any of the rest of us.
Adam thought for a moment, and said, I guess it is just that I cant explain this wolf, this thing, whatever it is. I like to have everything easy to explain, easy to understand. This thing defies understanding. It isnt natural.
All of my life has been spent in this forest. He swept his arm outwards for emphasis, Meriah may call it her forest, but it is my forest, also. It is my home, the whole of it. And now my home has been invaded by some foreign creature, which cannot be explained away as a natural occurrence. I feel as if someone, or some thing, has threatened my home, and my people, and I dont know how to fight something like that wolf. Blackthorne was human, I can fight a human, I can fight any animal. This isnt either of those, Im afraid.
He paused and sighed again, Afraid, maybe thats it. You know how I hate to fear anything, and this thing scared me last night. I felt like a child who has woken from a nightmare, afraid the beasties and demons are coming for me. Only it wasnt a dream, I wasnt asleep, and the beasties and demons were real. I dont like it, Stephan, I dont like it at all.
Stephan sat and looked at his friend. This was probably the longest speech he had ever heard Adam utter. He could finally begin to understand what bothered Adam so much about this, though. His friend was a simple man, from simple folk, and this business was not simple. It was Otherworldly, and it didnt fit with Adams view of his world.
Adam went back to carving, and Stephan left him to his work. He went back out into the main room and sat at the table, across from Bronwyn who was working some blackwork on a dress-front she was planning to give to Rebecca for her birthday. Stephan just sat watching and staring at Bronwyn, thinking. Finally Bronwyn looked up at him and asked, What ?
What ? Stephan answered back, looking confused.
Yes, what ? Youve been staring at me for a half and hour, now. What ?
Stephan frowned a bit, then asked, Would - no, he left off, thinking harder. How, um, how would one go about destroying a werewolf ?
Bronwyn looked at Stephan as if he had grown a second head. She laughed then and said, Has Adam gotten you to believing in werewolves, now, too?
Stephan smiled, Well, it may not be a werewolf, but it is something, and it doesnt seem a normal wolf, so How do you destroy a werewolf ?
Ye Gods, I dont know ! Bronwyn laughed at him, Ask Mother, she knows more about magickal creatures than I do. She turned smiling at Meriah, who had sat listening to the entire exchange without saying a word.
Meriah, however, was not smiling, but looked seriously at them both. Bronwyn faltered, then, and the smile began to drop from her face. Oh, Mother, you dont honestly believe this to be a werewolf, do you ?
Stranger things have come to this wood than that, Meriah said.
Like what ? Bronwyn asked. She had lived her whole life in this forest, and not once recalled anything so strange as this.
Have your travels taught you nothing, Daughter ? Have your experiences with Blackthorne, and Jack and Dylan the Watcher not given you any clue that this world is larger than your understanding might be ?
Bronwyn was chastened. It was true, Blackthorne had defied every knowledge she had of the world, and Jack had widened that feeling of ignorance even more, but werewolves? It was too much to believe.
Meriah continued, Girl, I am not saying this creature is a werewolf. I am not saying it isnt, either. Im saying it isnt a wolf. I know wolves. It doesnt act like a wolf, from all accounts it doesnt look like a wolf, and considering it is tied to Imellia, I wouldnt doubt anything told to me of its origins.
Stephan watched them both, and listened intently. Adam had come to stand in the doorway, to listen also. Maggie sat trying not to hear anything said of magickal creatures and women who threatened her safe existence.
Adam finally spoke, So, Forestwife, how do you destroy a werewolf ?
Meriah looked at him and then rose, moving to sit at the table, and motioning for all of them to join her. All did, except Maggie, who pretended to be too intent on her spinning to have noticed the conversation at all.
Well, Meriah began, first you determine what its nature is. Is it a wolf who has been spelled, is it a man who has been spelled, or is it some construct purely from the creators own energy. We must find out what it began as, and turn it back again to what it ought to be.
Whats a construct ? Stephan asked.
A construct is a thought-form, or a fetch, Meriah answered, It is pure energy, and is created to do a job, and do it so well that none can hinder its purpose. Considering the source it is tied to, Imellia, I doubt we have that to worry about.
Is she really that inept, Mother ? Bronwyn asked, I mean, it has been awhile since she was your student, perhaps she found a teacher willing to give her the means to create something such as this.
Bah, Meriah scoffed, something like this takes more skill and discipline than that snippet holds in her whole being.
Adam was very intent on this turn of conversation, and finally he asked Meriah, Could you do it ?
Meriah seemed surprised that he would even ask, Now why would I want to do something like that ?
Adam shrugged, I dont know, maybe to fight Imellias creature. Meriah sighed and looked as if she were about to begin a long speech on the ethics of magickal creatures.
It isnt that simple, Adam, she finally said.
Nothing seems to be very simple these days, Adam said sarcastically. Then angrily he continued, If you have the skill to defeat this creature, why arent you doing it ? Im tired of hearing how you cant do this, and you cant do that, or it isnt right, or whatever excuse you give. I want to know, Forestwife, can you do it or not ?
Ill thank you not to take that tone with me, young man, Meriah said haughtily.
Adam still glared angrily at Meriah, but said no more, just sat waiting for her reply.
Meriah sat for a bit, not saying anything, then finally stated, Yes, I can. The proper question is, will I.
Then will you ? Adam asked.
As I said before, the first thing we must do is to find out the nature of this beast. If it is a wolf, or a man, then No, I will not. I will not fight unfairly with a creature, man or beast, who is as much a victim, in all of this, as anyone is.
Adam rolled his eyes and looked at the ceiling. Meriah shook her finger at him, And youll not speak to me in that manner again, Adam, or I will give you the thrashing youve been asking for.
Im sorry, he muttered. It just seems that no one is inclined to do anything about this business, and it just gets worse and worse. What has to happen before you take action, Meriah ?
Meriah sat and pondered this question a moment, choosing her answer very carefully. I will see what I can see, and we will go from there. Now, all of you get off to bed. Its late and its cold and damp and I dont need to be tied to your bedsides when you catch some chill. They all left Meriah sitting at the table.
Maggie was more than willing to go and hide her head beneath the warm quilt. She had tried not to listen, but couldnt help herself. All the talk of fetches and werewolves had her laying awake til the early morning hours. Therefore, she was the only one to peek out of her covers and see Meriah working with her orb, the glow from it lighting the main room as the sun hadnt been able to that day.
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