Beyond Eternity

DAY 14, P.M

“My legs hurt.” Lucas groaned.

“Well, that’s to be expected, you’re not so used to traveling by foot as I am.” Claudia replied, looking at the sky outside. “Looks like a storm is brewing.”

“what does that mean for us?”

“Nothing, really, this castle and most of the homes still standing are made of stone, one wouldn’t even notice what’s happening outside unless nearby windows are present.”

“I see.”

“Although perhaps we would be better off staying here rather than go outside for today.”

“I agree.” He said in a pained tone.

“Now then, what do we do?” She asked.

“This might seem random, but can I ask something?” Lucas said.

“Yes?”

“Do you eat any bread around here?”

“On rare occasions I do, yeah. Did you want some?”

“Well, yeah, I just thought it’s been a long time since I had any pastries.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, baking isn’t my forte, mainly because it was much easier to get food without having to go through the trouble of making dough and baking.”

“I know how to bake.” Lucas said. “Want me help you out sometime?”

“Well, that’d be grand.” She replied with an accent.

“Sweet, perhaps we can bake something up one of these days.”

“Indeed.”

The two kept talking, not minding the time passing by. The sun had yet to set, but the world outside turned a dim blue as the dark clouds set in. It was cold everywhere except within the castle, where warm torch and candlelight made for a warm, comfortable place.

Lucas suddenly heard what seemed to him like light footsteps.

“Ah, you’re here again.” Claudia said as the wolf pack appeared in front of them once more.

“It seems they’re a little far from their home and decided to take cover from the storm in here.” She told Lucas.

“Does this happen often?” He asked.

“Not for the wolves, but I often get birds enter here when storms arrive, I make them leave as soon as it’s cleared all the same. Although they were here when the last storm struck, before you arrived, the wolves I mean.”

“Would it be okay for me to play around with them?” Lucas asked.

“Go ahead, they won’t bite, even if they did, they wouldn’t wound you.”

“So they do bite, but only playfully?”

“Yep. They seem to recognize you too since we’ve been with them for a while now, but if you want to be certain, I suggest you get some more meat and feed them.”

“I guess I’ll do just that.” Lucas said as he went to the kitchen, returning later on with the parts of the boar that he knew Claudia and himself wouldn’t eat.

“Here.” He held his hand out with the meat, the wolves bit and took them, one by one until nothing was left.

“Now, you can confidently approach them.” Claudia said.

“Alright.” Lucas Held out his hand to rub the head of Lo, which it didn’t dislike, he then proceeded to do the same with the other wolves, soon enough, he was sitting on the floor, having his fun with them, and they with him.

Claudia only watched silently with a look of happiness strewn across her face. Without anyone realizing or even bothering to realize, night has fallen. The sky turned a dark red, foretelling of the coming downpour.

In only a matter of seconds, rain poured down from the sky so strongly, lightning flashed and thunders roared, but those within the castle were left unfazed, unaffected, simply having their share of fun.

Lucas and Claudia prepared their dinner, with the wolves outside the kitchen, waiting expectantly, soon enough, all of them had begun eating their meals.

“I haven’t had fun like this in so long.” Claudia cheerfully said.

“I have to admit but neither did I.” Lucas said in response.

“That’s surprising coming from a wealthy child.”

“Well, I wasn’t one for big social events anyway.”

Lucas held one of the wolves.

“Who’s a good boy?”

“That one’s a girl.” Said Claudia as she pointed at it.

“Oh… Then, who’s a good girl? You are, you are.”

The wolf seemed happy.

“One of these days, I’ll have you learn how to tame animals like I do too. What do you think of that?” Claudia said.

“That’d we awesome!” He replied. “I would very much like to be able to call forth birds with only a clap of my hands.”

Lucas only kept playing around until some more time has passed, then Claudia spoke.

“I can’t tell the time with this storm here, but I think it’s already getting late, don’t you think?”

“You’re right, I think it is.”

“Then, if you don’t mind, help me clean up.”

“Of course.” He answered and gathered the platters around, bringing them to the kitchen and helping Claudia clean and put them away.

“Hey, would you mind me bringing some of these wolves along to sleep by my side?” He asked.

“Sure, I don’t see why not.” At this response, Lucas reacted as though he received a victory.

“Wait a minute, wouldn’t that mean you’d still be sleeping alone?” He asked.

“Yeah, I mean, I’ve always slept alone, and so did you since we left the watchtower, what of it?” Claudia replied.

“Well, doesn’t it feel lonely?” He continued.

“Oh? Now you’re suddenly inviting a lady over to your room, is that it?”

Lucas came upon the realization of how his words sounded.

“I didn’t notice that’s what I implied.” He said as he averted his gaze. Claudia merely gave him another one of her smiles.

“Well, if it bothers you that much, I’ll take Lo, he should be fine with sleeping on the floor.” She said.

“Oh, sure, I guess that solves it.” He replied.

“Although.” Claudia said in a low tone. “I do admit I don’t like sleeping alone especially after we’ve already met. At the very least, I’m scared I’ll wake up one day to find out you’re gone.”

Lucas smiled and gave her his response. “Don’t worry so much Claudia, I’m not going anywhere you can’t find me.”

“Um, thanks… Then, goodnight.” She said with relief in her voice as she gestured for Lo to come follow her and the rest not to.

“Goodnight.” He answered and waved at her as she walked out of sight.

Lucas got into the very same room he’d been sleeping nights before and let the wolves in, he then lay in bed and while his company slept on the floor with the exception of one, which lay by his feet.

“Ah, the one from earlier.” Lucas said as he recognized the wolf at his feet to be the last one he played with. “Perhaps I could give it a name.”

Its eyes were closed and did not react with the words Lucas spoke but he continued nevertheless.

“Let’s see, your pack leader is Lo… Now what do I call you?”

Upon hearing this, the wolf ears twitched and it opened its eyes slightly, which caused Lucas to wonder.

“Sorry to wake you—”

The wolf’s eyes got larger, now Lucas was staring to connect the dots.

“You.” He said. By which it reacted.

“I see, then from this day on, your name is Yu!” He said as he reached out to pat its head, which it liked. “Although perhaps I should make it so your name would be pronounced differently. Otherwise, it could cause some confusion.”

He then closed his eyes, all the other wolves around had already been sleeping, and soon enough, so was Lucas and Yu.