The Gray Wolf Tales, Part 1: Chapter 4

• Posted by Ben W April 30, 2014 - 955 views

  Wergar

       My waking scream had me on edge, my voice quickly dying down. My whole body began to shake, was it from fear or something else that had me trembling? I looked around the area containing me while leaning up from where I laid. A big habit of mine is to know here I am at all times. The wooden floor and ceiling told me I was in a building as well as the bed. The room was long and narrow, a chest was pressed against the right corner and a door was on the left. I feel like I know this place, I thought. My eyes opened more when a new thought hit me.

       I looked down at my chest. It was wrapped tightly, with white cloth; the material was stained dark with my blood. I peered around at my back the best I could. My shoulder told the same story as my chest. I definitely owed someone my life. Footsteps began to move somewhere out the door. From the rising in pitch, they were walking up stairs. A little wait later, the door opened and the person was recognized instantly.

       "Talen-Jei." I was all I could manage, my midsection beginning to ache and throb. Clutching it, and grunting, I laid back in the bed. The covers were a warm haven compared to the air around me. The Argonian come to me as I went down.  

       "Whoa, easy now..." His voice was etched with concern. I could almost sympathize, if I could see myself, I'd have the same worry within me as well. My battle with Lex and his Redcloaks appeared to have taken more out of me than I originally thought. "Here," the Argonian said, taking hold of something behind him. "Drink these." He had two bottles in his green, reptilian hands.

       Greedily, I gulped one down. The liquid could be felt flowing down my esophagus and into my stomach. I drank the other in the same manner, my cracked laps seemed to scream with rejoice as the liquid hit them. I coughed and spattered, the drink not what I expected it to be.

       "What did you give me?!" I exclaimed. I couldn't help but be surprised at Talen. He seemed to chortle to himself for a few seconds. It seemed my surprise was amusing. I could hear someone breathing outside the door, besides smelling them too. My lupine abilities come in handy for many situations. "Before you answer that," I stated, trying to catch my breath, "who's outside the door?" A feeling told me it was his wife.

       The Argonian waved his green clawed fingers at the wooden door, motioning for the other to come in. My guess was correct: Keerava. The lady lizard was stricking to Talen's eyes, perhaps it was their thing. Her scales gave off a white and brown shine in the candle light around us. Her chuckling, too, ceased.

       "Well, the first thing you drank was a healing potion. I figured it would take the edge of your pain." It was working was Talen spoke, the pain became slightly dulled. But the other drink, what was it? "As for the second drink," he continued, "mead. Keerava and I deduced it would be something good to have."

       I knew plenty about which mead I was given: Black-Briar Mead, mixed with honey. Since I was in the care of Talen-Jei and Keerava, I had to be in Riften. What other settlement had Argonians running an inn? This poor city had its problems: corruption, thieves, Maven and her kin. I've challenged her before and she responded with 'Watch your back'. The dumb thugs she sent were the best money could buy. Shame they weren't enough. At least the assassins put up a better fight.

       "Thank you, both of you," I said to the pair. "But, how did I end up here? Neither of you are the people to go and adventure." Another thought raced through my mind. I lifted my left hand and found it bare. "Hold on, where's my ring?" I started to look around the room in a sporadic pattern. It's not here, I thought, were the hell is it?! I began to get testy. That ring was the only thing I had of Amelie. She had if forged and enchanted by her people, the White Wolves, as a wedding gift. It was a white metal band with a snarling wolf head. The enchantment was it expanded like my armor; I wouldn't have to take it off when I transformed. It never left my finger.

       "Talen, Keerava," I didn't mean to have anger in my voice, but it couldn't be helped. "Where. Is. My. Ring?" They saw my jaw dislocate and find its Wolf housing. Talen spoke up.

       "Wergar, don't worry. I have it right here," his voice had fear in it, catching in his throat. The lizard reached into his pocket and pulled it out. There it was, in his green, scaled claws: my ring. He walked up and handed it to me. Immediately, the anger that welled up like a storm disappeared like a cloud of smoke. My jaw set back to the human position with a satisfying pop. Both flinched at the sound.  

       "Thank you... I'm sorry for scaring you like that," I began to the couple, my voice full of remorse. "If you had what my current life is like, you would have done the same." Talen and Keerava looked at each other and then back to me. The confusion was sparkling in their eyes.

       "Why would we do the same?" Keerava asked. I was silent, not sure of what to do. I don't speak of my life for a reason. The silence told them it was bad. "Wergar, what happened? Why won't you say?" The wonder and concern in her voice pierced me like Amelie's would have. I caved and talked.

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       "... we had no idea," Talen said after a long silence. After my story telling, both Keerava and Talen-Jei stood in front of me like stone statues. Their concerned looks grew even larger, trying to think of a feasible way one person could endure such hardship.

       "You two were not suppose to," I replied. "No one does for good reason. The felinthropes are looking for me like a common criminal. I don't want to put anyone in danger." I got quiet, not wanting to have my voice go past the room. " If they catch wind of this tale, and it's traced to you two," I pointed to them, "the Catlords will torture you for more information and finally kill you."

       Their scales lost color, becoming fainter in the candle light. This must be considered turning pale for Argonians, I thought to myself. The husband and wife looked into their eyes for a moment before returning to me.

       "We will make sure that this story doesn't leave these walls. For our and your safety, Wergar," Talen finally said. Color returned, but their scales were still a lighter color than their normal pallor. I could smell their heart rate; both were acting like one was racing a horse. They could look the part for intimidation, but neither could hold it. I decided to try and take their minds off the predicament.

       "Who rescued me, my friends? I'd like to know." It seemed to do the trick. Keerava took the floor.

       "She's downstairs in the bar. Here," she said, kneeling down to the bed, "lean on my shoulder." I obeyed, wrapping my arm around her. Keerava counted to three and we lifted up. My body stung, but I pushed it to the side. Keerava was stronger than she looked, being able to practically carry me around. Slowly, all three of us walked out of the room and down the stairs. I couldn't hear any hoopla in the bar, perhaps it was early in the morning?

       At last, we made it down the wooden steps. My chest and shoulder began to ache once more. I started to wonder how long it would be until I felt like new. I glanced up toward the bar, seeing only two people: a woman leaning against the counter and Volwulf sitting in a chair, waiting to be waited on. The man was a common customer. He was a good man, if not a drunk one. He spat his hatred for the Empire to those willing to listen. I did, and I sympathized with the old man. I never killed an innocent during any of my campaigns any way I could. However, I did see where the Empire came from in his story. However, it was the woman that caught my eye.

       She was so black, in the candle light, her skin seemed to give off blue and purple hues. Her long, thin black dress clung to the skin. This gave her complete mobility with no movement restrictions. The woman had no hair, showing every bump along her head. She turned around and I recognized her in a heart beat.

       "No, it can't be..." I said. For the first time, fear was in my voice.

       Here was Opal, Werepanther of the felinthrope armies. Her eyes shined a burning green. She gave the three of us a toothy grin; her canines were slightly enlarged.

       "Hello Wergar. So nice to see you alive."