Brother Wolf

Beli pondered the news he was hearing. If Rwbaddshire had fallen, it could only mean Grandfather now sang with his fathers. As a Morgan shaman, he would not leave the Circle of Ancestors to reclaim his position in the Circle of Elders so Rwbadd would sit there now. And should Rwbadd pass this very evening? One of his brothers over the mountain would be Clan Elder.

Sitting with his Fathers

No matter now. “There is war in the deep places and if Darkness and Water had combined to drive the Clan into his woods…the solution would be found in Light and Sky, if by way of Earth and perhaps Air,” he chuckled to himself. Whoever was holding the conch needed to move on and move on tonight. Modron would likely take a hand in this and Beli knew even he would be hard pressed to protect them if she took note.

Yeah, its a bit of fixer upper

“Kymeth, you and your children must make it to the House of Rhiannon as quickly as possible. The rest of the Clan will be safe here once you have gone. I will give you what assistance I can…it is unfortunately only swift mounts promised to get you to Rhiannon.” With that, several runes on his hands began to glow as he traced the same runes in the air with his staff. Almost immediately the mournful long howl of a wolf pierced the night, followed by five more from all around them. Silently, six enormous wolves came out of the woods into the moonlit circle where Beli stood with the Clan.

“Blaidd Brawd and his kinsmen will get you there. They know the way and will be able to keep you out of most trouble.” The largest of the wolves walked up to Beli and dipped his head to him. “Do not make the mistake of thinking them pets lest they think of you as food. Allies would be better. Companions on the journey.” One of the wolves growled a little bit at Jon who looked at the beast with wide eyes.

Maybe friendly is too strong a word...

Owl Witch perhaps?

“One last word of caution: after tonight any travel must be done during the day. You should be at the House of Rhiannon in just over a day and Blaidd Brawd will guard you closely. If you are spotted by the owls at night, the wolves will not be able to protect you from what may befall you. Modron and her owls will be looking for you. Above all, beware the Owl Witch…don’t draw her eye to you! Well, get on with ye! Off you go!” They climbed onto the wolves and held on for dear life as they leapt into the forest.

Original artwork by Mary Morgan! 

It was several hours to the dawn and the wolves took full advantage of the time and cover. Throughout the night they coursed swiftly across the ridgeline only occasionally silhouetted by the moon, and then only for an instant. As dawn began to break, they came to the edge of a clearing. From atop the hill, they saw a swollen river below with a narrow bridge crossing it and little cover immediately beyond it. The wolves stopped and lowered themselves to the ground. Ama heard Blaidd Brawd growl, “We rest here for a few hours and then we press on.” The wolves were panting and clearly tired from the run. Wolves are not horses, even when carrying young women and children clad only in traveling clothes.

Jon was the first to say he was hungry. Tired as well…but more hungry. So much had happened in the past 24 hours and it was all starting to come out. His mother came over to comfort him, holding his head in her lap. She sang to him and her daughters joined in. Soon Jon was sound asleep, as were his sisters…and the wolves. Only Kymeth sat awake, looking down toward the bridge and wondering about her husband’s fate. She fell asleep just as the sun rose above the treeline.

Ok, the river wasn't quite THIS swollen.