Briar’s Wolf

The Pact

The night sky burnt brightly in the red glow of the moon. Above a dense forest, a large rock protruded into the air and basked in the unnatural lunar light. Atop this outcropping, a smooth disc-like platform lay, seeming very out of place in its perfect symmetry. Unlike the forest below, the sounds of nature were absent. Just silence. A bitter, unnerving silence that hung in the air as if to warn all living creatures that this place was not for them.

This platform was surrounded by three large stone archways which towered above small raised platforms. In the center, a large stone block sat heavily, with the recess of a bowl carved out of it. Along the side, intricate runes were etched and painted with a dry, red substance. Blood.

Tarangins matted, brown locks hung loosely over his eyes, obscuring his vision slightly. He pushed them back behind his ears and thumbed the silver necklace around his neck. Its likeness resembled that of a drawn bow with an arrow nocked, the symbol of one chosen to hunt. His sun-worn skin was covered with dirt and scratches, patches of dried blood covered his hands and parts of his clothes. Stains from his most recent quarry, the Great Silver Stag.

Kneeling in front of the altar, upon which he had placed the head and heart of the Silver Stag, Tarangin repeated the phrase he had been for the last hour. "Stag, Wolf, Hunter. I call to you to aspects of The Wild, speak with me and accept this sacrifice."

The change in the moons' colouring caught his attention. His sacrifice must have attracted the attention of The Wild. A stiff wind blew across the platform, bringing with it fallen leaves from below. They swirled around the three archways, spinning faster and faster until they began to take shape.

On the left, the form of The Stag took shape, larger than any Tarangin had seen in this land, or in any land for that matter. Even the beautiful beast he had sacrificed was minuscule in comparison to The Stags magnitude. From the right archway, the form of The Wolf emerged. Much like The Stag, this manifestation was far larger than anything that walked this earth.

Finally from the center, the shadowy form of a human strode forth. It was smaller in size compared to the other creatures, but its body shifted and changed into all sorts of shapes and sizes of humans as it walked. The Presence of The Wild was strangely palatable and overwhelming. Tarangin had to avert his gaze.

"Mortal," The Stag spoke, its voice like that of a rushing wind, "You have summoned us."

"A dangerous choice, why shouldn't we kill you?" The Wolf growled like rolling thunder.

"Speak quickly, mortal. What have you brought before us?" The Hunters' voice was barely a whisper, yet it resonated in Tarangins mind like an echo. Tarangin's mouth opened but no sounds came out, the oppressive power that pushed against his mind paralyzed him with fear.

"It is not wise to keep a god waiting, mortal." The Hunter whispered. "Speak now while you still have your life."

Tarangin took a deep breath, slowing his heart and pushing back against the grip on his mind. "M-my name is T-tarangin. I have brought you a sacrifice. I seek a boon." They did not laugh, but an aura of amusement seemed to emanate from The Wild.

"He seeks a boon, yet he stutters like a fool. There is a weakness in him, I can sense it." The growl of the wolf cut into Tarangin, causing his heart to flutter in panic. He breathed again, trying to slow his heartbeat. He wouldn't give The Wolf more reason to doubt him.

The Hunter looked to The Stag, "this is one of your children, is it not?" The Stag motioned its head like a nod. "It is indeed. Not an easy prey to catch. For the heart and head brought back to me, I am willing to give a boon." The Stag stepped forward, "What does your heart desire?"

Tarangin slowly and carefully stood up, keeping his head bowed in respect. "I wish to become a stronger, more powerful hunter. Unmatched in strength and fury." The Stag stepped back and shook its head in derision. "I cannot grant this boon."

A guttural, howling laugh came from the wolf. "You wish to become a hunter, yet you sacrifice prey. The laws of The Wild seem to have escaped you." The Hunter held up his hand to silence The Wolf and stepped towards the altar.

Reaching out he took the heart in his hand and held it towards Tarangin. "You are either a fool or ignorant, yet you have still brought us a sacrifice. Because of this, we will let you live." He crushed the heart in his hand, spraying viscera into the bowl. "Leave now."

Tarangin stood in shock. In just a moment everything had shattered. Had it all just been for nothing? It couldn't end like this, it mustn't! "P-please, wait!" He cried, "I'll do anything! Just tell me what to do!"

"And still you persist. You mortals sure are annoying." In a second The Hunter moved through the altar and grabbed Tarangin by the throat, hoisting him into the air. "I will give you one last chance." He released his grip and Tarangin fell to the ground, his hands going straight to his throat.

The Hunter walked back to the arch he had appeared from, and as he stepped through his form disappeared. The Stag shook his head, "You mortals are a strange bunch." Moving back through the arch, his form disappeared as well, leaving only Tarangin and The Wolf.

For the first time the wolf moved forward until he loomed over Tarangins cowering form. "You are weak, yet you are persistent. I can respect that. To the north, there is a valley stained with blood, one of my children makes its home there. Find it and bring me its hide, and I will make you one of my children."

Tarangin stood up and looked The Wolf in the eyes. "If I bring you the hide of one of your children, you will make me a great hunter, like you?" The Wolf snarled, "I do not like to repeat myself. Do you accept the pact?"

Tarangin smiled for the first time during this encounter. He bowed his head to The Wolf.

"I accept."