The Moon Pact

A forgotten pact

The door swung open and a lanky old figure bearing the banner of the Unks, walked in as though he would fall down and die any moment. His hollow eyes scanned the entire room before being fixated on Alpha-Lord Brunt.

“Lemuel” He began in a strong tone no one would believe was from such a feeble figure, “Lord Lemuel Brunt, I first saw you when you were born, the second time was when you were twelve, and the third time today”.

“The Unk emissary” Alpha Brunt began, “I won't say it is a pleasure to meet you again for the third time, crashing my party”.

“I know Lord Brunt, sadly such an unpleasant dent has and will forever be on me and my bloodline, being the dreaded emissary of Alpha Vlad Unk forever”.

He coughs and unroles a scroll, “I bring you a message from Lord-Alpha Vlad Unk, Alpha of the Unks, lord of the western Ava mountains range and the Northern ridges.

Remembering the ancient pact our ancestors made at the top of the Ava mountains, that once every 300 years, 300 pure blooded direct descendant females of the Brunt bloodline is to be mated with the Unk Alpha and 299 pure blooded males of the Unk bloodline.

For many moons we have heard of the unrivalled beauty of the lady Mia Brunt, such beauty would be unworthy for any one who isn't Lord Vlad Unk. He sends his regards and expects a meeting between us, perhaps in your next lavish party, you would do well to send an invitation across to us Lord Brunt”

He turns and begins his exit.

***

Lord Lemuel Brunt sits alone in his personal chambers drowning himself with wine. He refused to speak to anyone, not even his darling daughter who has been demanding explanations.

The only noise that could be heard was the splintering of heated woods from the fireplace. He cast his gaze into the fire as though trying to seek answers, as though only the fire knew what he was going through…

1300 years ago, Ava mountains

…The fire burnt and the men howled, they showed their shape shifting prowess, in one quick swipe of their claws lumbers scattered into a hundred directions, they cheered as they ripped the hearts and jugulars of the new encroachers while they forcefully and aggressively mated the females. Lord Unk walks in with a shrewd smile and they bring the conquered Alpha of the encroachers before him, forcing him to kneel.

“What is your name, and where do you come from!?” Lord Unk questions with ferociousness.

“I am Mekkel Brunt. I and my people have journeyed from the Gargia wilderness, and through the red gorge as our place has become uninhabitable for us. Streams dried out, drought overtook us, and so we had to leave to preserve our stalk, please show mercy and we will swear fealty to you”

Lord Unk for a moment stared into the eyes of the bleeding Alpha of the encroachers.

“Very well” lord Unk responded, “How many men of this park were slain here today and how many women were mated?”

“300 men were slain and 300 women were mated” one of the Unk males said. Lord Unk nodded.

“In order for us to let you and your people dwell in our mountains, 300 females of your pure blood line every 300 years must be brought to us as mates. Just as the moon goddess witnessed this today, so shall she continue to witness this ritual every 300 years”

The conquered Alpha nodded with a whimper as he choked and fell to the ground.

***

Lyla sat on the bed with a sad look on her face, her long brunette hair was packed up and only a few countable thestles were grey. She looked like an earlier version of Mia, and indeed the most beautiful of the earlier generations.

There was a slight knock on the door, and almost immediately a creak followed. Lyla quickly sniffed, and then wiped the tear that had welled up her eyes. She looked towards the door, out through the crack a head poked out and peeped,

“Mom?”

“Mia” she heaved out a heavy sigh again, “come in my child”.

Mia briskly walked into the opened arms of her mother who massaged her hair. They shared this soothing embrace for a few seconds.

“Mom?” Mia began, “what is going on? I mean the castle has been gloomy ever since that weird looking man came. It's as if he left with the radiance that always filled this castle. Everyone speaks in a hush whisper and they seem to stop speaking whenever I walk past. Mother, I'm scared. What does that ill looking man mean by me being a mate to his lord?”

Lyla let out another sigh that quivered, this time heavier.

“Mom!?”

“Listen Mia, there is this pact no one in East Ava mountain ranges and the woods around it want to talk about, or even remember. It just teaches us a lesson that no matter how much we want to switch off of reality, its still there. And there will it remain until something is done about it”

“Mother, tell me about it” Mia this time seemed more mellow. Lyla sniffed, before reaching out for a handkerchief that was on the bed and then dried the tears that had welled up her eyes again.

“You see Mia, the Ava mountains haven't always been our original abode. According to the history books, our ancestors lived in the wilderness of Gargia beyond the red gorge. Then drought came, sickness and famine ravaged the land, we had no other option than moving out and here we came. A battle ensued and the Unk Park cut through our weary warriors. A truce was called and the Unk Alpha at the time offered that 300 females of pure Brunt blood be delivered to them as mates every 300 years. It was either our continued existence on their lands, or us being wiped away.

“So Mother, are we in the circle of another 300 years?”

“For East Ava to be here today, it means only one thing” Mia began, “that the previous Alphas all upheld the pact?”

“Yes darling” Lyla responded, this time the tears she had fought so hard to keep flowed uncontrollably.

“Does that mean father will bundle me and send me over to Alpha Unk?”