The Wild Wolf Within

One Who Remembers

I felt Joe, elbow us yet again. With a sigh I heard Tala step back as the wolf in my mind did too. Looking down I was standing just as I had when Tvso had dropped me off at the ruins. Human and myself as I had believed to be. This woman came up to me, her grey eyes warm with love and age. the smile, missing a few teeth but full joy and happiness. "No need to worry, I am only old." The woman before me chuckled.

"Its been a rough few days, I am still trying to get my head wrapped around this." I blurted out. Realizing that I had voiced how afraid I was.

"Come child, lets take a walk." She reached out and waved for me to follow. The direction she was going was toward the horses.

How could I refuse? A lady wise in years, that could explain what the heck was going on and a herd of cool looking horses not far off. My legs were going well before my mind had decided. I was walking beside her shortly after that.

"I have been here well over 60 years," she started. "Back just before the first civil war. I had no idea about any of this magic or creatures there in." Her grey eyes sincere in this as she glanced my way. "Sure I had visions from time to time, could pick up runes or tarot cards and use them easily. Could read the minds of animals, as well as the wind and certain people. But to change, and draw on an ancient power nope. I was visited by a spirit wolf, this wolf was Leto the goddess herself." She stopped at the gate to the horse's pasture. Turning to look at me, "My husband, knew about it mostly. He was a warrior much like you have the one at home. It was a night, I was kidnapped and taken but those shadow demons. I tried so much, could not get away. Leto came in a dream that was turning to nightmare. She slid into my body and used the ancient magic that had been repressed for hundreds of years. There were consequences for what she had done. But she saved me. I owed her my life. She wanted nothing. Only to say our blood line must carry on. I had three kids, two girls and a son. My son is autistic, he could see, but did not understand the visions were just that. Later as he grew and the first new civil war raged, I was able to unlock his potential. He created many things to help keep the Draconians out of places of power. My girls to did great things during the battles. Your great grandmom found a soul mate and followed her heart. She left out of my power. The only child from my first soul mate love. I was lucky to have two. No one understood why I had two, and to this day you would be the only one I know of to have two as well." She stopped, looking at my reaction she waited a moment. "Joe is your other one." She paused again.

I thought for a moment. Yes that is true, Tala nodding her head vigorously in my mind agreeing. "Tala do you know why we have two?" I asked.

Tala answered "My only guess would be based on the amount of power needed to do what you are meant to." She shrugged.

"Joe?" I asked looking at the wolf/dragon/man.

"Yes, Joe." The One who Remembers started. "You will go into realms that your red haired warrior cannot. Joe will go with you. Your power source is Love. Love is the key to our power. I don't say to break your vow to the red haired one but use Joe as an anchor. He will help, he is bonded to help." She whistled high then low much like the sound of a wolf. I heard thunder in the distance. She had called the horses.

"What am I meant to do?" I asked.

"Young one, you are meant to take my place. I have lived through many generations. I have seen history turn and rumble many times. We are meant to right the wrongs in our space, and be a beacon for those who need our help." She smiled, coming up to us I seen a herd of line backed dun horses, all with similar conformation and color. "These are from one orginial mare. She was Fjord and Criollo. My war horse of the ages, battle scared and steadfast she was. I found a stallion much like yours. I continued to keep the lines with that mixture. They all have similar quailties and all are mares. I am giving my girls to you, when my time is up." She turned to look past me. "Ice and Joe, you both have heard this."

I turned to see them both nod. My face dumbfounded. "But.." My voice trailed off.

"Hush Child," She patted my shoulder, "We have time, come eat and chat with me." She looped her arm through one of mine. She was stronger then what she gave off in appearnce. Her frail body not so much as she hauled me back to her home.

Inside her home was a hard packed dirt floor, there were some rugs woven with cloth, there were tapestries on the walls depicting events I knew nothing about, stone lined the inside, and windows with glass but no screens as they were wide open. Plants in various forms hung upside down drying, the smell of delicious food baking hung in the air. Counter tops made of wood so smooth you could brush your cheek across. No microwave or electronics I could see.

"I live simply, I enjoy this style." She smiled exposing fanged teeth. "I lived once in the modern ways and found this called my spirit home. Made me happier and allowed me many blessings that most would not understand." She made a plate of food, bringing it and a cup to the table I stood at she smiled. "Sit down child, eat."

I looked at the food, biscuits smothered in gravy with a side of eggs sat on an old wooden plate. I melted into the chair and started devouring it. I did not realize how hungry I was until I laid eyes on the plate. I was stuffing my face like a ravenous beast. I caught in the corner of my another plate being set down and heard a familiar voice say "Thank you." I looked up to see a guy with black hair, large powerful build and eyes liquid chocolate in color with lashes all around. Bed room eyes my Grams called them. Realizing that he was eating too, I slowed my pace of shoveling food into my mouth.

"Accalia," I heard One who Remembers say, "this is Joe." There was a giggle, "please eat up. I made plenty. Fully bellies and chatter are best for events like what has happened to you Accalia." I seen her take my plate and refill it. "You are among friends. There is always a need to speak your heart." After saying that she placed big platers of biscuits, gravy and eggs at the center of the wooden table. I said nothing just continued to eat my fill.

"Accalia means she wolf in Gaelic." I heard Joe say.

"Yes, my mom named me, though it was my Grams that raised me." I mentioned, food in my belly my main concern.

"I had heard your mother was killed." One who Remembers mentioned.

"My Grams thought it might have been my father, but then no one has seen him since I turned 5 years old." I shrugged. I didn't remember my mom that much or my father. If they had asked about my Grams that would have brought emotion I had locked away.

"Your father was killed that night as well. A shadow demon had taken them." One who Remembers spoke solemnly.

I stopped eating and looked at her. "My father is dead?"

"Yes, they were killed, in the hopes that no child would have been born." One who Remembers started, "I keep tabs on my generations. Your Grams was fully protected and why you made it to her. Your mother and father, I apologize I could not save. The Dracoians follow blood lines and know that it was likely them who would produce my heir." She sipped her drink, "I had hoped to keep your family intact."

I was dumbfounded. Utter shock plastered across my face. "How long have you known I lived here?" I stared at the woman before me.

"Since I put that land up for sale." She winked. "Your red haired warrior is quite the hunk." There was a sassy grin and glint in her eyes.

"The skinwalker? The red wolf?" I was throwing questions like they were buttons on a keyboard.

"I watched it all, made sure that your red haired warrior knew and knew at all times that you were safe." She sat back and watched me like she was studying me. "You child are stronger then you know. I suspect you will surprise yourself."

I had so many things popping through my brain, my Grams words reminded me "there is more between heaven and hell then what we can see." That knowing made me look right back at the woman before me. "She knew about you."

One who Remembers smiled bigger then before and showed her fangs for all to see. "Yes, she had known about me for a while."

"Yours Grams had met my Grandmother too." I heard Joe say off hand.

My eyes snapped to him, I looked into his warm brown eyes realizing I had seen him before. I was little, running in the forest with my first horse. A grey Arabian stallion. We raced the fog and anything else that we could use to run fast with. It was a time when, he had thrown me. I laid on the ground waking up to see a young wolf yipping at me. I jumped up and started walking backward. The eyes of the young wolf warm and welcoming. "You.." I breathed.