Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane, Chapter 8, By Ruth Nalio

Autumn…

Three hands in and we were neck and neck. I had 250 and he had 255. Trystan was a very good card player to my delight. I laid down a jack, queen, king, ace combination that he would be hard-pressed to match though. Especially since I had two more aces in my hand along with another king. He smiled, drew a card, and laid out the 9 and 10 to my suit then three jacks. We continued at a good pace until I went out and added up the points. I was pulling ahead now with 375 to his 360. I was going to win and put an end to this competition.

“Would you two be willing to stop for dinner?” Jude asked politely.

“Father, we are but a few hands from being finished, can dinner not wait but a few minutes?”

“At the rate the two of you are going it will be more than a few minutes, it’ll be close to an hour.”

“We could play during dinner?” I suggested, not yet willing to stop.

“That sounds good to me. Father, do you have any objections?” Trystan looked at Jude and glanced at my father quickly.

Jude sighed, “Fine, as long as the two of you eat and not just let the food sit in front of you and get cold.”

About that time a delicious-smelling ham that looked to be honey glazed was brought out with baked potatoes, bread, and butter. A jar of preserves was brought out next and then what smelled like an apple pie. Jude took up a carving knife as the server brought out glasses of cider. I watched as Trystan picked up his slice of ham and took a bite without using his silver, then wiped his hand on a napkin before picking up his cards, so I did the same.

The dinner was filled with conversation, laughter, and stories. Trystan and Jude told my father and me of Trystan’s childhood as my father and I told them of mine. We all left out the time of our lives when we had our mothers, choosing instead to talk of the troubles we had found ourselves in as children. Before we knew it, we had passed 500 and dealt in our parents. I had won, though, by only 5 points.

I cut a slice of pie and put it on Trystan’s plate and then one on my own then one for my father and for his. We all continued to play cards. “I remember once when I was little that I fell into the pond not far from our house and Old Ned pulled me out before I could drown. That’s when he and Father thought it was time to teach me to swim. That’s when I found that I like pants better than dresses as well. At least for swimming and such. When wearing a dress it's hard to keep your head above water.”

“Not to mention neither Ned nor I knew how to swim in a dress so we had to put you in a pair of boys breeches to teach you well enough that you wouldn’t drown,” Father said as he took a bite of his pie.

“I had no clue you could swim. Then again, most women can’t. Most women can’t shoot or hunt either. I don’t know why. I think it’s a fine quality in a woman.” Jude said as he looked from his son to me. I knew exactly what he was doing and so did Trystan.

“Most women can’t do those things because it's unexpected. They are expected to sew, cook, clean, and run a household, not bring home the food or splash about in the water like a fish.”

“So you’re saying that my swimming is inappropriate?”

“No, I’m saying women don’t know how to have fun.”

“And I do because I swim and hunt?”

“Yes. It's odd, but yes.”

“I didn’t expect that reply from you Trystan. Thank you.” It was odd to be getting along with him so splendidly.

“As much as I accept it, I wouldn’t be going around telling people about what you do, you might get somewhat of a bad reputation for it.”

He just had to throw that in as he took another bite of his pie and smiled at me. “Since you were kind enough to give me some social advice. Let me give you some in return. Don’t be so rude when someone gives you a compliment, and you might want to take smaller bites.”

Before he could say anything in response Jude jumped in, “You know, I was thinking that the four of us could go hunting next week since Autumn knows how to use a gun and all.”

“That sounds like a splendid idea.” Father accepted for us without asking me as usual. “Will we be meeting here or at our house?”

“I was thinking we could meet here and go to the forest on the other side of the castle.”

“That would be wonderful, thank you for suggesting it.”

I stifled a yawn as I inquired, “Would you be offended if I wore pants? It's much easier to hunt and ride horseback in pants.”

“I wouldn’t be offended, and neither would Trystan,” Jude said as he gave Trystan a quick but stern look.

“Thank you, Jude, for a wonderful evening, but I’m afraid it's getting late and I’d like to seek my own scotch and my own bed as well as I believe Autumn would too,” Father interjected politely.

“Yes, and thank you, the evening was highly entertaining. I look forward to next week.” Jude smiled.

“Let's see it's Tuesday today so why not next Monday?” Father suggested.

“Next Monday sounds perfect, I can’t wait. Trystan and I will escort the two of you to the door.”

Trystan rolled his eyes, pushed back from the table, and rose from his seat all in one fluid movement. Before I knew it he was pulling back my seat and helping me to stand. He offered his hand, “May I assist you, or is that another thing you find useless?”

I gave him a tight smile and set my hand in his, “Proper etiquette is never useless.” Trystan and I walked arm in arm to the front door with both our fathers long behind us. No doubt wanting to give us as as much time as possible to get to know one another. “You know I hope you aren’t this rude to everyone you meet.”

“I was only behaving that way because I don’t wish for our parents to see us getting along for more than a few moments. I want them to think everything is forced. The less we like each other the less likely they are to go through with this ridiculous betrothal.”

“That makes sense I guess.”

“Sorry,” he whispered, then said at a normal level, “Of course it does. I’m always right. I’m also a man, men usually are smarter than women.”

“Trystan!” Jude said not far behind us.

“Forgive me, Autumn, for being rude.” Trystan let go of my arm and bowed. When he did my side became chilled, I hadn’t realized how much heat he had been generating.

“I’ll have you know a woman can be much smarter than a man. Men just choose not to educate women because they are afraid of looking stupid once the woman knows more.” I said with a smile on my face. Even if this was a fake argument just to make our parents see we couldn’t ever get along, I had a point to prove.

“Aut, there is no need to continue such a discussion now, is there?”

“You’re right I might as well go home and think about my side of the argument and pick it back up next week.”

“Autumn,” Father said in his warning voice. It wasn’t like he was going to do anything, I hadn’t pushed him nearly far enough yet. I guessed I should give up for the time being and pretend to be fuming over getting chided in front of Trystan and Jude.

“Good night then, Trystan,” I said and curtsied.

“Until next week, Autumn.” Trystan smiled a devilish smile and turned to my father. “I look forward to hunting with you, sir.”

“As I with you.” Father was always the gentleman.

“Good night to both of you and have a safe trip home,” Jude said as Father and I walked down to the carriage.

Autumn…

Adrenaline rushed through my body. Trees flew by me so fast they were a blur; still, I could hear the beast close behind me. I could hear its feet hitting the earth as it raced after me. My heart was beating in my ears. My feet drug, they felt weighed down as if I were running in water. NO! It was getting closer! NO!

“NO!” I sat up in my bed, sweet pouring off of me, my hair plastered to my forehead.

“Autumn?” Father popped his head into my room. “Are you alright? I heard you screaming.”

I pressed a hand to my forehead and slid it down my face, “Yes I’m fine, it was just a bad dream. I didn’t mean to wake you, go back to bed.”

“You should get a drink of water or something.”

“Thank you, I’ll be fine.” He wasn’t used to seeing me afraid, “I think I’ll just go down to the kitchen in a moment, once I wake up all the way. Go back to bed.” I watched as he closed the door behind him, then closed my eyes and laid back against my pillows. It was just a dream. I had to keep telling myself

that. It was just a dream. I began chanting it over and over again in my head until I drifted back to sleep.

Sun washed over my face and my maid bustled about my room. I had overslept. I stretched my arms out over my head and shivered at the delightful release of the tension that had built up in my muscles over the night. Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes and yawned.

“I didn’t mean to wake you.” The maid said with a start.

“It's fine. Is my father up?”

“Yes, but not long. He just left his room as I entered yours.”

“Thank you.” I threw back the blankets and reached for my robe. I got out of bed and without washing my face headed down to the breakfast table. Father was sipping coffee in front of the window when I walked in. I could tell from the heavenly aroma. I smiled to myself as I picked up the cup he’d set aside for me and walked over next to him.

“How’d you sleep?” He turned to me with a slightly concerned look.

“Fine. It didn’t take long after I woke up to get back to sleep. It was just a dream, Father.” I smiled and took a sip of the delicious brew.

“You know I just worry about you sometimes, you can’t blame me-”

“I’m fine Father, you don’t have to worry about me.” I cut him off before he could say any more. I needed to change the subject before he continued it because I didn’t want to talk about it. “You’d think that

Trystan could have been a bit nicer to me last night. I mean, after all, we were the guests in his house.”

“Yes, well you could have been a bit more polite seeing as how we were the guests in his house. Not to mention the fact that he is to be your husband.”

“Really Father? Must you continue with this? Neither of us wish it and it’s plain to see that we will never get along.” Unless we’re conspiring against you and Jude, I thought to myself.

“You seem to get along just fine when you're competing against one another. You should do that with your marriage, make it some sort of competition or something.”

“What will it take to make you see that we do not wish to be married?”

“You can tell me that all you want and ask all the questions in the world, but you two will be married. You are a great match and you just can’t see it yet because you are going into this not wanting it.”

“I’m glad you understand at least that I don’t want it. I don’t want to get married because I’m not ready to get married, and you didn’t even ask me if I were ready to get married, then you might have known that this was a hopeless thing for you to try.”

“You think if I’d asked you that you would be ready? No one is ever ready to be engaged to someone that they don’t know. That’s why Jude and I have decided to let you get to know each other first.

You should think of that.”

“How long do we get to know each other before you force us to get married? How long do we have to argue out of wedlock before you make us argue in wedlock? How long until I have the worst wedding night in history?” I yelled at him. He just didn’t understand that I didn’t want to get married and wasn’t planning on letting him force me into it.

He sighed; I could see the hurt in his eyes. “Autumn, it’s not going to be like that. If you’ll just give it a try, things could be wonderful, you’ll see.” He walked over and kissed my forehead then left the room. I knew I’d hurt him, damn it! But what was I supposed to do? He just didn’t understand!

Trystan…

Father just didn’t understand that the competitions Autumn and I had been having yesterday were not as fun as he thought. True that I did enjoy them but only because of the thought of Autumn’s defeat. It’s a shame that she won in the end. I was looking forward to the radiant anger she produced so easily. I’m also curious as to how she reacts to defeat.“What do you think of hunting in pairs? I was thinking you and Autumn could hunt in a pair and Mason and I could hunt in a pair.”

“Father, I’m beginning to think that you arranged this marriage just so Mason would be a family member. You know you can be friends with him without Autumn and I getting married.”

“Nice try but you’re not getting out of it that easily.”

“It was worth a try though, don’t you think?” I smiled at him and took a drink of my coffee. It was amazing how much stronger it tasted right now. I’m starting to enjoy this part about being a werewolf. The heightened senses are wonderful! Of course, they could be awful at the same time, like if I got too close to something that smelled bad. Even in wolf form, I had no need to roll in things. I wonder if wolves roll in things, or if it’s just dogs.

“If you didn’t have a good time yesterday, then what is so amusing to you this morning?”

“I was just wondering why dogs roll in things that smell bad, and I have no urge to. I was also wondering if wolves do.”

“Why on earth would you be thinking of that?”

“I am a werewolf, so if wolves roll in things that smell bad, wouldn’t I want to?”

He messed up his face in thought, then looked at me, “That’s a good question, but if you don’t stop thinking like this and telling me why, then I’m going to get just as strange as you are.”

I smiled at the thought as it passed through my head, “You know Autumn may never get used to how strange I am even though she’s strange. She only acts more like a man. I am an animal and am developing a tendency of thinking like one and comparing everything to animal behavior.”

“You’re still not getting out of this engagement, and besides, you’re looking for the cure to this.”

“Yes, but I haven’t found it. What happens if I never find it? Better yet, what happens if I don’t want to find it?”

He stopped and looked up at me for a moment, “Are you saying that you’re starting to like being a monster?”

“I’m saying that it has its perks, like when I’m in my human form and can still smell like a wolf and hear like a wolf.”

“Your human form? Don’t you mean when you're normal?”

“I’m still me when I’m a wolf; I’m just a little hairy and have certain cravings.”

“I don’t think I like the way you’re talking.”

I sighed, “I don’t think I’m ever going to find a cure, that’s why I’m experimenting with my control over the wolf part of me. Until I do find a cure, it is a part of me whether either of us likes it or not.”

“What happens if you turn into a killer? What happens if the wolf part of you takes control?”

“I don’t know. I have been fortunate enough not to have had to try to stop myself from killing anything other than a rabbit or deer.”

“One of these days you just might have to find out, and then what are you going to do?”

“I don’t know and I don’t want to.”