[Manelwen]

Well, I hope I am not stepping on any toes by introducing a couple of ‘two-footers’ into the story…

The silver wolf winced, if a wolf could wince, and slowly she tried to get to her feet, but the ground beneath her pitched and swayed. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and again, tried to stand. Taking a deep breath to calm her stomach, she smelled the disgusting gut-wrenching smell of human and animal waste and sweat. Swallowing back the sudden urge to purge her stomach of its contents, the wolf opened her eyes and took in the grim surroundings.

She was in the center of the city, in a large clearing or courtyard. A tall wall was to her back, and around her were dusty buildings that were silent and dim. Looking to her side, she saw the heavy fetters that were clasped around her ankles; on her neck she felt the cold weight of a collar. A long chain was connected to the restraints and was seemingly hammered to a ring on the wall. It would have to be knocked down if she planned on getting it off.

“Mama!” A little boy called, he had strayed off from his mother and stood in awe of the giant silver wolf, his dark eyes full of wonder, and his rosy lips made a perfect ‘o’ as he stared at her. “What is it?”

A lady ran out of a crowd and gathered the little boy in her arms. “Morgan, do not go near it. It is a wolf from the wooded lands.”

The wooded lands. She must be quite the novelty here, for wolves were probably pretty rare, and a good one of her size was probably even rare even in her homelands. But a wolf is a wolf, her thought turned grim; they will probably kill me and skin me for their king. What a prize I am to make. A soft whine came from her throat as she layed her massive head on her legs; the feel of the smooth soft stone beneath her soothed her belly.

The mother stood still for a moment, holding the child away from her protectively. Pity shone in her almond eyes; slowly she set the child down and took a step towards the wolf. “Are you alright?” she asked softly.

“I am fine.” The wolf said, raising her head and inclining it gracefully.

The lady smiled “You must have a terrible headache, for they gave you a sleeping draught.”

Celebanca suddenly became aware of the headache that ebbed like the coming of a tide in her mind. “Yes, but it is merely a headache, for I am sure that it will be the least of my troubles in a bit.” Her voice was painted with sadness and pain.

“You do not have to worry, ‘tis indeed not what it seems.” The lady’s voice trailed off as a tall man with black hair pulled back into a tight braid, neared with a long spear in his broad hands. “Be strong.”

“That’s all I can be.” The wolf whispered as she glanced at the man, standing to her full 4 feet from the tip of her ears to the bottom of her broad feet, her glittering eyes met the man’s and curling her lip slightly as he approached, she didn’t notice the woman melt into the crowd with her child balanced on her hip. “Why have I been caught like this?” She growled.

The man’s eyes went wide and the intimidating warrior-like glitter in his almond eyes melted into an astonished fear, he took a step back and opened his mouth stupidly. “You can talk?”

“Fool.” Celebanca growled irritably “I am a wolf not one of your foolish little pups that roll around the floors with your little whelps. I do not chew bones under your tables, or hunt for you. I am a wolf from an ancient breed and unless you wish to feel the full measure of my wrath, you best get these fetters off of me or I will tear your throat out.” She finished off her talk with a low growl that rumbled in her chest, her golden eyes studied him inscrutably.

The crowd that was around her slowly backed up, she stepped forward growling louder, bearing her white teeth. “W-we can’t…” He stuttered, his eyes shifting nervously, probably searching for another of his companions to save him from the enraged beast.

“And why not?” She growled angrily, pacing back and forward, testing the limits of her chain.

“We need your help.” A suave voice came from the crowds and as soon as he spoke, the crowd parted and a man strolled through with a cocky smile on his face that infuriated the silver wolf even more. She lunged but was viciously yanked back, with a strangled growl the she-wolf landed on her forepaws. “We are asking the assistance of all in the land; men, and beast.”

“Why should I help you, you fool? You capture me, poison me, and now you shackle me like a mere guard dog for all to watch. Let me go.” Testing her weight on the chain, she heard the strain of the wall as she leaned more weight on it. “Or I’ll rip your throat out when I do get out.”

“Oh? That is very convincing. Let a wild and rabid wolf loose in my city?” The man threw back his dark head and laughed, “I think you best learn some manners, wolf, and when you do, then I will let you out. Alright?”

Celebanca quivered with the delightful thought of tearing the man’s throat out came into her throbbing mind. “I swear, by my forefathers, I will tear you limb from limb.” She pulled against the chain until the shackles dug her ankle and throat. The breath stopped flowing, and she eased back slightly and began to pace at the length of her chain.

[ April 29, 2002: Message edited by: Manelwen ]