Black Moon Curse

Chapter 4: To the Castle

Amelia's P.O.V

Once I heard someone was coming I tried to relax a bit. Adeline had been suckling well, but my milk had not come in yet and the both of us were frustrated from trying to get the milk to come. Poor little pup was trying so hard and we were both exhausted.

Orla brought the cradle over which she had lined with furs and blankets for Adeline. She placed it right next to the bed on my side for me.

"I can take her for a bit to let you rest Amelia, I'm sure you could both use some sleep," Orla said to me. She had been my friend since before I could walk, we practically grew up together and she was like a sister to me. I was so tired I just nodded my head and passed Adeline to her.

"Could you have the cooks bring something for me to eat and drink?" I asked Orla. " I'm exhausted, but I am really hungry and thirsty as well, apparently having a baby works up an appetite, that and the fact that I haven't eaten since before going into labour" I was so tired it never even occured to me to mind link the cooks myself. Good thing Orla was so understanding of me.

"Absolutely, I'll get something prepared right away" Orla replied.

Orla walked over to Maggie and handed her the baby before walking out of the room. My eyelids felt so heavy I couldn't keep my eyes open, so I let my eyes close and I drifted off to sleep.

Sinead's P.O.V

I looked through all my records on moon phases which was a lot because I'd been collecting data since I was 100. I was trying to decide what would be most relevant to bring with me. The older records might not be needed, maybe just the last 400 years. What if I need all of it? There was no way I was going to be able to take all of this to the castle by myself.

" I hope it's enough" I said to myself as I decided that I had the most relevant pages of information.

I don't know a lot of magic but I know a little. I grabbed my spell book, which I barely used. I had been good friends with a good witch for a long time and she had taught me some things. I started looking for a satchel or a pack that would fit all of the research. I managed to find a good sized pack and it fit the spell book and about 100 years of my research. This is going to be difficult I thought to myself as I grabbed two other side satchels with long straps and filled them as well. Hopefully it was enough, I couldn't fit any more in.

I ran down the stairs with the full pack and satchels. I looked around my small kitchen and extinguished the lantern sitting on the center of the table and the one attached to the wall. It was really cold out and I was surprised it was raining and not snowing. I grabbed my warmest cloak and put on my boots before heading out the door. It was still really dark, but thanks to my werewolf sight I was able to see fairly well. I also had a great sense of direction, not sure if it was because of being a wolf or if I was just good with directions. I headed towards the castle loaded down with all my research.

It was still raining but not as hard as it had been before, maybe I won't be completely drenched by the time I make it to the castle. I could shift to get there sooner but then I wouldn't be able to carry all the research in wolf form. So I relegated myself to run in human form. Thank the moon goddess I had lots of stamina and lung capacity even in this form. Werewolf speed is definitely a major plus when an emergency comes up.

I'd been speeding through the dark woods for about twenty-five minutes when the top of the castle came into view. That meant I was almost halfway there, I just had to make it through the gorge and find a spot where I could cross the river. A good spot where it wasn't to deep and I wouldn't have to swim getting the papers soaked in the water. Plus I really didn't want to get wet.

I stood at the edge of the gorge trying to find a good way down. Some trees were growing on a slant over the gorge which could have helped if I had had a rope. So I continued looking for a spot that wasn't too steep. After scanning a few areas I decided on a spot about ten feet to my left that had a few ledges where I could get some footing on my way down. I walked over to it and turned around as I lowered myself over the edge feeling for the first foothold. I felt some rocks give way under my foot and heard them clacking as they tumbled down into the gorge. My foot slipped when the rocks gave way under me but I quickly grabbed the tree nearby to stop my fall.

"Whew, alright take it slow Sinead." I said to myself.

I made my way carefully down the thirty foot slope to the base of the gorge. There were lots of rocks along each side of the river. I searched up and down the river quickly for a place to cross. After walking along the river a bit I found the perfect place. A place where the water wasn't to deep and the river narrowed, and there were a few larger rocks I could use as stepping stones. "Yes, I could jump these easily," I thought to myself.

I sized up the jumps I had to make and made the first leap with my right foot outstretched. When my foot landed on the first stepping stone it slid a bit and I flung out my arms to balance myself. The rock was slimy from the river water. Hopefully the next few jumps wouldn't be so bad. I made the last three jumps in three quick steps. Awesome landed it just one more leap and I'd be across. I extended my foot in preparation to jump and

projected myself forward to the other side of the river. The stones that were there rolled under my feet and I felt myself falling backward, I quickly turned so I wouldn't fall back into the water. I managed to spin but landed on my behind anyway. At least it wasn't into the water.

A raven flew down and landed in front of me c*****g it's head. It let out a caw as if mocking me for falling. As I got up and gathered the bags I'd been carrying a few papers fell out of my one satchel and spooked the bird. It cawed again and quickly flew off. I grabbed the papers that had fallen out before they could blow away or get soaked with rain. I made my way up the other side of the gorge and started in the direction of the castle again.

The sun would be rising soon, I could see some orange and red hues in the sky to the east. I had to get this information to the Alpha so we had time to go through it all and find what we needed. I ran the rest of the way through the trees. If I had some more time I would have enjoyed a more leisurely pace, I loved the feeling of the tree bark under my hands and finding herbs for my cupboard at home. Alas, I did not have the time.

The castle walls loomed in front of me, giant grey smooth stones formed the walls. I made my way around to the grand entrance where the was a drawbridge. The river underneath was part of the same river I had crossed earlier. I mind linked the Alpha to let him know I was here and needed the drawbridge lowered so I could get in. The sun was a bit higher now and casting a beautiful red hue onto the castle walls.

~"Alpha, I'm just outside and need the drawbridge to be lowered so I can enter"~

I'm pretty sure there was a guard at the top of the wall that had most likely already informed the Alpha of my arrival. Still it was good to let him know.

~"I've informed the guards to lower the bridge."~ I heard the Alpha's deep bass voice in my head ~"I will be right with you to escort you back through the castle to my chambers, where my mate and daughter are"~

I watched as the drawbridge started to lower, the large chains clinking with every turn of the drawbridge wheel. Then there was a loud thud as the bridge landed on the ground in front of me. I walked across the bridge and into the castle grounds. I figured the Alpha wouldn't be long getting here.

Calvin's P.O.V

I was relieved to hear that our mystery guest had arrived, it gave me hope that something could be done. I sent a mind link to the guards to lower the drawbridge and open the gates.

"Amelia my love, she is here, I'm going to get her and I'll be right back." she looked so tired after a long night in labour and trying to figure out how to breastfeed, it couldn't be easy. I kissed the back of her hand before leaving the room to make my way to the outer entrance of the castle.

"I love you," I heard Amelia call out sleepily as I left the room.

I half ran through the corridors and made my way to the courtyard. As I crossed the courtyard I could see a tiny woman standing about five foot three or four in a brown cloak that covered her head. Her face was pixie like and she had large amber coloured eyes. It was still drizzling out so I quickened my pace and with two more long strides I was in front of her with my hand stretched out in welcome.

"Hello, and welcome to Trinlee Castle. My name is Calvin, thank you so much for coming" I introduced myself to the mysterious woman who had come to help.

"I'm pleased to be of service to you and your family. My name is Sinead, it's good to meet you, just would have been nicer under better circumstances" she said to me in return.

"Sinead, right this way," I said extending my arm towards the inner castle. "Can I help you with your bags?" I offered.

"Thanks, that would be great." She said as she handed me the two satchels hanging from long straps off her shoulders.

I led the way back through the courtyard and up the big stone steps. Once inside we went through the great hall tables lined both sides of the hall and led up to my Alpha seat at the front. At the front of the hall was another door to the left that went through to a corridor. It would have been dark if it weren't for all the torches mounted at six foot intervals on each wall. This particular corridor led to my families chambers and when we reached the end of it I opened the big wooden door. I motioned for Sinead to enter before me. The room was warm, as I had been feeding the fire to keep it that way for our newborn pup. The glow coming from the fireplace was mesmerizing and the warmth was welcoming. There were still some lanterns lit because the sun was just starting to creep up over the horizon.

I closed the door behind me and sat the two handbags I had helped Sinead with on my desk in the corner. Everyone was here, Orla had been gone for a while, she must have prepared the food for everyone herself, because there was a nice platter of food and beverage prepared on the table under the window. The smell of fresh made bread was divine.

"Everyone I would like for you to meet Sinead, please let me take your cloak for you Sinead and then we can get started." I said to everyone and held my hand out for Sinead's cloak.

"Oh thank you Alpha Calvin," Sinead replied and when she removed her cloak a mane of brown curls escaped and fell down to her lower back. She looked over at Adeline in the cradle and walked over to her to get a better look.

"This must be Adeline, hello sweet girl, I'm Sinead." she said in her soft sweet voice.