Linford - As the Wolf Howls

Michael Linford

presents

As the Wolf Howls

Text copyright Michael Linford 2016

Design copyright Jacqueline Abromeit 2016

All rights reserved.

Micheal has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

This book is a work of fiction. Names and characters are the product of the authors imagination and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by electronic, mechanical or any other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying or recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publisher and Author.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If youre reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, or you were not provided with a review copy by the Publisher or Author only, then please return to rowanvalebooks.com or our online distributors and purchase your own copy, as well as informing us of a potential breach of copyright. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

First published 2016

by Rowanvale Books Ltd

Imperial House

Trade Street Lane

Cardiff

CF10 5DT

www.rowanvalebooks.com

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBNs

e-Pub: 978-1-910832-20-2

Mobi: 978-1-910832-21-9

PDF: 978-1-910832-22-6

To look into the eyes of a wolf is to see your soul. Just be sure something you want to view is there.

- Unknown

This book is dedicated to all those whose lands have become lost, and to my little tribe for their love and constant support.

PROLOGUE

The flames leapt higher, engulfing the settlement almost instantly. Through the thick smoke Majila could see them searching and destroying everything in their path. The screams emanating from his burning village tore at his heart. It was as if he felt every bit of pain being inflicted on his tribe; he did not feel any physical pain though, it was more than that, far more. Each deathly scream stripped away another layer of his inner being and he was almost rooted to the spot where he crouched, hidden from those responsible for all this death and destruction.

He watched as familiar faces were dragged out into the clearing by their hair; he watched their fear and agony as they bravely fought the attackers as best they could. His people were not fighters by nature, and although they struggled bravely to defend themselves, it was all in vain. Before his eyes, all manner of violence became them. As the smoke rose higher he was able to see more clearly the land where his village had stood just hours before. The huts that hadnt already burned to the ground were engulfed in flame and heading towards the same fate.

In the open land before him he saw bodies, dozens of them, lying bloodied and lifeless in piles scattered everywhere. His pain intensified as he saw not just elders, but women and children too. All killed by this force that he had not seen before and knew nothing about. The men moved in a group past the newly slaughtered settlers and on further into the burning village. At once, he leapt to his feet and ran out into the smoke. Quickly stepping in a half- crouched position, he made his way to the last of the elders he had watched them kill. He bent down and gently turned the lifeless elders head towards him; the blood covered his hands as he knelt by the limp body and whispered words, seemingly to himself: Take these souls lightly, dear Mother, and let the light of the moon grant them a chance again, with nothing but goodness in their hearts. Let them begin a new journey. He closed his eyes and stayed quiet for a long moment, deep in thought, trying to send each and every lost soul into the safety of the spirit worlds embrace.

As he opened his eyes, his blood ran cold. In all the confusion he had forgotten about Aalym and their child. Aalym was supposed to have gone out into the woods, taking Esmee with her, so she could start to learn about the forest, its spirits and the power it wields. But that morning Esmee had been restless and Aalym decided it wasnt the right time for her first lessons. They must have been here when the attacks started! The realisation made Majila leap to his feet and run directly through the flames, towards their hut. The heat hit him before he got close enough to see that his hut was raging with flames that shot up high into the sky and lapped at the trees behind them. Majila thundered through the flames, bursting into the hut, before throwing himself to the coolest part, the clay floor. He crawled through, calling for Aalym, struggling to make his way through the heat and thick smoke that threatened to push him back further. In the distance, he heard a cry and within seconds he made it through the fire to their eating quarters. The place was destroyed; tribal artefacts lay smashed everywhere and in the corner, crouched behind an upturned table, were Aalym and Esmee. He raced towards them and threw his arms around them both. Esmee was hysterical as she wrapped her arms around his neck, howling into his chest.

Its all going to be okay, Esmee, Ill get us out of here and well be safe. As he said the words, he felt a warm sensation running down his arm and pooling at his elbow. Esmee noticed too and wailed even harder than before, turning her face deeper into him and letting his body envelope her completely. Aalym, my love, we have to move. We need to run for safety. We can make it if we go now. It took Aalyms lack of response before Majila realised that it was her blood running over him, not his. Hidden beneath her bowed head was a ragged stone, shaped like an arrowhead and stuck deep into her throat. The blood was seeping out from around the stone and was flowing at a constant rate.

Majila, my warrior, you cannot save me now. Take Esmee and get away to safety, it is your only hope. These men came for you and the one your magic also dwells in. It is not safe for you two here; with my blessing to guide you, you must leave now. The words were whispered, her pain overwhelming as she spoke each one.

I cannot leave you. You are my Aalym, my heart, my lifeblood, I wont leave you, he said, shaking as he cradled her and pleaded for her to hold on.

You must, my love. There is no time and you must save Esmee. All our fates are in your hands now and we need you more than ever. It is your time to be the leader that destiny has always foreseen for you. Please go, I beg you, save our child and know that I am always with you.

Majila choked back tears as he held her closer and, in that instant, he knew she was right. Her life was slipping away in his arms; he could feel her breath slowing and saw as her eyes struggled to cling onto their last view of this world. He leant forward and kissed her, releasing all his pain and hers in one last act of passion. I love you, Aalym, and I always will. My heart waited for you and will wait forever to be with yours again. Travel without fear and let my love light the way for you, as yours will mine, eternally. He felt the last of her breath leave her and gently lowered her to the floor. Once more, he leant down, kissing her soft mouth, and then with his finger he wiped one of his tears and traced a soft line down her forehead. He removed a necklace and placed it gently around her neck, his last token of a love that blinded him and gave him complete awareness in equal measures.