(Continued from Book of Days:Book of Days: Reading an Entry )
“I want to write something for you, Ethel. A sort of secret between you, your papa and me. I know you and I have joked about it in the past. But I have to tell you …
...I am a wolf!
No sooner had I written it than I had second thoughts.
I wanted Ethel to know. I wanted no secrets between my ‘daughter’ and I, and just as she had trusted me with her ‘secret’, so would I trust her with mine. But my matter was even stranger than hers, I deemed. Aye, even Waelden did not really understand, though said he loved me and the wolf, for he knew in some way we were one. But to explain to a young girl something that could be considered the stuff of nightmares, that was another matter.
“But fear not, for I am a good wolf,” I said aloud. Then I turned swiftly to make sure no other was in the room.
“That you are, love.”
There was the sound of booted feet swiftly descending the stairs, as Waelden crossed to the table, to give me a kiss on my nose, before looking curiously down at the page.
“What’s this? You are writing?” he enquired, still with a hint of humour in his voice.
“It’s a secret, dear.” I replied. “Between Ethel and I. Otherwise I would show you.”
He nodded, still amused somewhat, and gave a soft howl back at me as he made for the door.
“Be careful how you tell her, if that is what you are thinking of. It’s hard to explain the unexplainable.”
“I would never do aught to harm Ethel,” I replied. “I must think of what I wr...say.”
“I know. And she will still hold to you as her mama, even when she knows as much as we do. You don’t scare us, she-wolf.”
I looked up, as he opened the door. “Perhaps we three have a talk, later this night, or soon?”
“Perhaps,” Waelden replied with a wink. “But now I feel like a good walk. I will probably just go down to the river...I won’t be more than an hour or two.”
I smiled as he left. He was not one to sit idle. And he loved the land we now called ‘home’.
So I turned back to the mostly empty page before me. I focused as hard as I could, though my letters were nowhere near as well formed as Waelden’s or Ethel's.
“Do not fear nor be distressed over that statement, dearest Ethel. Do wolves not care for and protect their young as well as the most loving Papa and Mama would. All that I am loves and cares for you and your papa. There is no threat nor danger to you. But this is still a mystery even to me. One I have grown to understand slowly, and most recently from the trip to Wildermore.
I am a little different to most. And that is my secret to share with you. It is something that could damage me, should certain kinds of folk know of it. They would name me ‘witch’ and ‘Shapeshifter’, without knowing what they spoke of, and I would be shunned, and driven away… or worse. My well-being has been in your papa’s hands, and now it is also in yours, daughter mine. I trust you with my life.
This message is not enough though. Your papa and I will both explain as best we can to you. Possibly tonight. Very soon though.
And I will work with you to solve the curse, if that is indeed what it is. We will work as the family we are to bring it to an end. I will have no threat, or rumour of threat, to you or a grandchild.”
I paused again. Was it alright? Ethel was ever a bright and thoughtful girl. My heart beat just a little faster. My words would not portray a wicked Gauradan wolf-man to her I hoped?
“They will not. For I shall show her a glimpse of myself.”
I froze at the soft and low sound of Isa’s voice. She was here. After so long away again, I had almost forgotten that she spoke directly to my mind. And I turned my head to see her lying on the wooden floor, guarding the door.
“It is time, Yllfa. The world changes and not much for the better. Your cub must learn swiftly, as must you. No more hiding in the cave of winter dreams. It is time for action. If we are to save your mate, it is time for action now….!
I stared at her, a huge silvered wolf with alert silver grey eyes, as she lay by the door.
“Waelden?” I asked with something of dread. “Is he safe?”.
(Continued in ‘How to Break a Rider' by Waelden)
