A Common Wander

[James]

Meandering about the deeper forests comfortably like a dog turning circles in his bed walked James the wolf. His grey fur reflected dully what gentle light could permeate the foliage of the forest. Having just eaten some delicious berries James was contentedly searching for an incredibly large tree to wander upon his path. Nothing suitable was popping up. An eye blink opened his nasal cavities to the gentle, cool spring breeze slowly wafting throughout the trees, complimenting his relaxing mood. He was ready to sleep, yet prepared for anything to cross him.

A sudden small line of raised brush startled the wolfwere as he could see little behind it. It snuck up in front of him as though a branch had hit him while he was running. Cautiously peeking through James espied a rough and rugged road enclosed by the light brush. On the other side behind a similar light brush he was peeking out of, the wolf noticed a tree large enough to accommodate him safely, but wasn't quite as good as he was hoping for. James looked one way, then the other to make sure nothing was coming- unfortunately, a light bend to his left in the direction coming from the capital of Titan would prevent him from seeing anyone within seconds of turning that corner fully. Regardless, the wolf broke his cover and walked forward across the road looking to the right as he went. In the middle of the road he stopped to peer upwards into the tree. A couple of overhanging but thick branches pulled his attention and a few seconds later the wolf finished crossing the road, his tail disappearing into the brush. A few quick steps and a hop placed him onto a small tree next to the one he spotted earlier, and off of this one James bounced onto, pawing the trunk to climb. His claws sunk into the bark and the rough slope of the tree the wolf grasped soon turned into the top branch overhanging the road, which mildly bounced underneath his weight. On the branch and in a generally safe area the young wolf lay his paws forward in a stretch and yawned, his eyes closing in an act of relaxation.

Before he knew it, James was laid out upon the branch, calmly resting with his eyes closed.

[Joe]

Joe strolled along the forest path, meditating quietly as he walked. He'd done this when he first came to Titan, walking meditations in the woods outside the city. Now that he'd returned he decided to take up the practice again. Today though, he couldn't quite focus. Ah well, it was still a nice enough day for a walk. He came around a turn just in time to see something dart across the road into the underbrush. Joe slowed down and quieted himself, scanning the area where the thing dissapeared. A few minutes later he let out a small chuckle as he saw a wolf climbing out onto a branch overhanging the road. Joe recognized him as James, the wolfwere that always seemed to follow zipcat around. Ever since he'd met the boy Joe had wanted to try to talk to him. In his travels through his world, the American Indians had tought him how to communicate with animals, through mana and their spirit, in a way that transcended the need for words.

He began walking slowly again, knowing James was still shy with most strangers. "What a surprise to find a wolf laying in a tree." he said aloud. Then, focusing his mana and spirit, he spoke to James with his mind, "Don't be alarmed, I'm only here to be your friend" He did not invade further, but waited for a response from the boy. In truth, he wasn't even sure if this trick would work on a wolfwere. Was he too human for this base comunication? Or was there enough animal for the communion to work? All he could do was wait.

[James]

With his eyes closed for but a moment, a faint smell whispered into the young wolf's nose. Uncaring and feeling safe enough in the tree James decided to try to sleep, but was politely interrupted by the first words Joe spoke aloud. Understanding that the man was referring to him, James turned his head but stayed in a comfortable position to look at Joe. His eyes burned with understanding and curiosity. James was surprised to feel something wrap about him like a blanket; his aura was being affected by the intentions of Joe and his connection to the wolf, comforting the wolf with friendly intentions. The first words that entered the wolf-boy's mind through this connection helped double the effect, and James' aura spread out with emotional warmth and calming. What few birds were around James began to act strangely and, comforted by his aura, moved themselves to the same branch as him to bask in the delicious warmth of peace.

"Hi!" responded James, using the link just as effectively as Joe. His tail twitched as his dreams of proficient communication suddenly sparked to a deeper, truer life than it had existed at only moments before. The wolf-boy continued: "You're the man at the tavern from a few days ago, aren't you?" His words echoed with a distinct touch of common speech in it but would normally be wholly interpreted as barks and other normal canine sounds. James was friendly and happy to see Joe, and even happier to learn that this man was someone he could speak with. He was not without caution, of course, but James was too relaxed at the moment to understand what fear there could be had of this man.

[Joe]

"Yes, I am." the words swam around them like a mist. "I've seen you with our friend zipcat often. You seem, nervous, yet you want to join in. I didn't want to scare you but I hoped I could help. I can't communicate with humans like this, but with animals I can, I hoped it would work with you. You are really both right?" Joe was calm as he spoke, making no movements at all, merely speaking, if it could be called that at all, as the wolf lay still on the branch. He could feel the elation in the boy's words, in the spirit of it. He knew this could mean a lot to James, but he still didn't want to scare him off, to push too much. He waited for another response.

[James]

The wolf yawned while listening to Joe speak to him while the birds on his branch began chirping brightly. "If you can talk to me like this, there's little reason for me to fear you, I think," James postulated. His words rang with clarity and confidence. "What kind of evil or malicious entity would attack a wolf after speaking to it like this? There is no reason." At this the young wolfwere rolled off of his branch and landed on all fours on the ground. Finished with his small bout of acrobatics he sat down in a very obedient looking manner and almost seemed to smile; nay, grin at Joe. "I don't know exactly what I am. I know of others who are like me, yet their condition is reversed when the moon is a full circle and they are more monstrous; they are wolves walking on two legs instead of four. I become human. When the moon is finished being full, they are human and I am a wolf. I think I can say I'm both and am not anything in between." His head nodded once to conclude his reasoning. "What's your name?" asked James in a friendly manner.

[Tordek]

"Search it. Search it all!"

Somewhere nearby a merchant caravan is in the midst of being robbed by bandits who had emerged from the woods, catching the driver unaware and stunned.

"Quicky now...C'mon, c'mon! Damnit, move!"

Their leader was in a hurry, red in the face already from barking at his minions. Next to him on the ground rest the travelers, tied and gagged. Fear and tears flow from them. Often, Titan is not such a dangerous place as this. They can only wonder as to why it is their fate that they should have been so brutally manhandled on this day.

"You! Quit you're snivelling, lest I end it with my blade..."

[Joe]

"My name is Joe." he started to walk slowly towards the wolfwere now. "I have heard of these other creatures, like you only backwards. For them, most people call it a curse. What about you though, do you consider this a curse on yourself? Or is it merely just your existence?" Joe wasn't sure if these questions were appropriate, but it was hard to hold back some thoughts and not others in this form of communication, especially since he hadn't done it in so long.

[James]

James' ears tweaked while Joe talked to him. His back arched mildly and his hair stood on end as the feeling of fear invaded his instincts. A different fear arose from the wolfwere as a protective desire washed over him, something that had not happened ever before. "There are people in danger."

The young wolf's eyes squinted shut at Joe, and with sudden realization of what kind of person he had become, darted off the opposite direction away from Joe, succumbing to his conscience's desire. Turning about a corner and upon a long straightaway fleeing in front of him were the bandits, assailing a carriage and hoping to escape with the goods. His protective desires were pushed by an inner force, turned into an impassive anger that flared out before him and struck like axes through the intangible bodies of those before him.

Then, the aura faded. The grey streak disappeared within the bushes on the side of the road. Without a minute passing, James was upon the bandits like a blizzard. From the same side he escaped into the young wolf burst from the bushes, hurdling towards one of the bandits. If he somehow got out of the way; he would be lucky... but not for long. If the wolf struck him, the man-wolf mass of bodies would tumble the ground, James' teeth flashing again and again, sinking into the flesh of the bandit's unprotected parts unless he managed somehow to summon the strength to push away the raging wolf. Regardless of killing the bandit he first attacked or not, a few seconds later the blood stained streak of grey fur would dart towards the leader of the group, preparing to claw open his throat with a single pass. For now, the leader would have enough time to draw his weapon or try to run, or if he had a dagger, raise it to stab at his ruthless foe.

[Tordek]

All eyes were on the wolf, those of the bandits and their trapped prisoners. Flashes of metal and blood were quickly seen, but they ended quickly and abruptly as the brigands soon departed this mortal coil.

Their leader looked on, impassively, simply watching, and licking his lips, with a sneer spread across his face.

"Go ahead. Your actions are for naught, and so...nothing, will come of nothing."

With a grating laugh, the proud man once standing amidst common street urchins vanished into thin air, only an illusion of a man, indicating that he had never been there to begin with, or had he?

[Joe]

James's ears perked, "there are people in danger." and he darted away before Joe could react. He didn't follow right away, instead he watched where the wolf ran, listened for signs of where he was going. Joe wasn't about to run around through the underbrush getting cut up by lord knows what. It didn't take James long to reach his target though, as Joe heard a man yell in surprise and the sounds of an angry wold growling. He kicked off the ground and off the low hanging branch James had rested on, gliding over the treetops to land in the middle of the road where the fight had started. No sooner had he landed though then the fight was over. Joe had sensed such peace in James, yet now his jaws were covered with the blood of these men.

Joe looked sidelong at James momentarily as he moved quickly to the travelers, bound and gagged, removing their restraints. "Are you hurt?" he said, as his eyes already sized up their wounds and he reached into his beltpouch, already feeling for the herbs he would use to help them.

[Milton]

A hand fumbling an object in his pocket was the only thing on the healer’s mind. Its tiny form was smooth, and shapely. Simple to the point of boring if it weren’t for its purpose.

It beat letting his mind wonder.

Along the trail he walked, stepping to avoid the groves worn in from wagons. Coming from the tavern, without a drink to brag of.

Like the object he fumbled, his purpose for this day was simple; forward a message. Nothing more. Unless requested.

But movement threw the branches of the next turn slowed him, the once-struggle coming more clear as he went. With the people tied and a goody good helping the restrained it wasn’t hard to tell what happened.

Then Milton spotted James. He was proud of the blood covering the wolf’s mouth.

Stopping a slight ways before what Milton determined to be the edge of the thrash about, he stood there, still fumbling the item, and without any reason.

[Courtesan Lemac]

:Lemac looked about, she watched as the wolf darted about the group of theives. There was nothing she could do, well there was but she chose not to reviel herself just yet. As the battle took place Lemac closed her eyes and listened to the rythem of it. So fast and determined and just as abruptly as it started it was over. Lemac opened her eyes and looked about. Bodies every where, blood spray patterns over just about every thing, including herself. There was Joe going to the few surivors and freeing of them of there restraints. Lemac waited, she was the last one to be freed. As she stood she adjusted the hood of her cloak to keep her face from view.:

"Kind sir I thank you for your help. Dose that wolf over there belong to you. He seems so well trained in the art of battle."

:Lemac pressed down some wrinkles in her dress, a bad habit of hers even if none existed. She gently rested one of her hands over her bulding stomac as she looked about the group. Still not ready to give away who she was. She looked back to Joe, and faint smile crossed her lips.:

"Good sir I am Morning Star Macht. I was traveling with this group of traders from the icy lands of the Frost Knights to reach the port towm Salamander. Again I thank you for your aid, but now I need to go back to the city that surounds the Titan Castle and find a new group to travel with to Salamander. Oh dear her wounds are deep."

:Lemac turned to one of the others she was traveling with. Her wounds deep, and mortal. She rested her hands over the ladies chest and said a few words a small glow formed in the space between Lemac's hand and the ladys chest. It grew in brightness and then faded. A single tear rolled down Lemac's cheek, the life of the lady faded away. She remained on her knees bent over the lady.:

"She is dead, nothing can be done."

[James]

The wolf halted short quickly as soon as the leader disappeared into thin air. A switch flicked within James' head as the realization of death by his own teeth and claws sunk in, and from the inner tumult arose the feeling of panic from loss of control. Deeper within, something twitched.

It wormed its way through the maze of James' head, intent on finding the center of his brain. James chased after the Beast inside the maze to catch it, creating different paths and illusions to trick the malevolent entity in near-possession of the wolf. It already reached the center once and managed to pull a rope that triggered the wolf's aggressiveness, and James quickly reasserted the center, forming a whole new maze for the Beast to travel through. Almost for naught, however, as the damage was done, the intangible entity chuckling as it made its way through the inner reaches of James' mind. With sudden disparity, James removed the maze to capture it, and he did just that. The malevolent demon howled in rage, James' muzzle tearing piece after piece of the thing away. The scene flashed, and James was in control of his body once more- after having killed a number of men.

Panic emenated from within James' heart. Panic struck like thunder, an explosion of needles like the sound of a storm. Like a barrage of needles, however, James' panic was only momentarily, and he reasserted himself. Though blood was something he wasn't afraid of, being used like this was... it was not his intention to slay these thieves. A quick flurry of fur standing still threw the splotched red covering the grey mass back onto the dirt road where it belonged, but James' muzzle and fore feet were still stained with death. Obessively cleansing himself, he trotted over the bushes to wipe off as much as he could, and in doing so managed to return to a fully grey colored wolf. A quick step later, the wolf was within the bushes, prepared to run away as he always had. But, he didn't.

Out from the bush poked a black nose, followed by a grey snout, unnatural blue eyes and long wolfish ears. James lay upon the ground under the bush watching everyone calmly now, though deep inside he still harbored slight fear at what he had just done. His eyes moved to the steady observation of Milton and locked upon the healer's face, wondering what the man was there for and what he was thinking.

Condensed and witheld, the events of the last minute suddenly exploded with an unnerving force, accidentally careening as a message and story through the eyes and mind of James to Joe. All the events, the smells, the feel, the horror and insanity condensed into a ball bounced over to Joe for him to decipher through no willing purpose of James. Unaware he was doing this, James' eyes continued to stay locked upon Milton, his current thoughts now upon that of zipcat's well being.

[Joe]

Joe watched as James darted into the woods, "No," he replied to the woman "he is not my wolf, just a friend. If you are traveling to Cartes, it is not far from here. I doubt the bandits will be back anytime soon, but -" before he could finish, she noticed one of the travelers who had been wounded.

But I checked all their wounds, Joe thought. How did I miss this one?

"Dead? But," again he was interupted, this time with the unintentional conversation of James's mind, a flood of thoughts and visions. "Ah-" he closed his eyes, shook his head a moment, then quickly looked at where James sat at the side of the road. As soon as they were there, they were gone, and Joe was left to try to sort them out before they faded.

He looked back to the woman, "Miss, Macht, was it? Perhaps we should go soon. As I was saying, I doubt the bandits will be back, but it would still be better to leave as soon as possible. If you feel well enough to travel, I will escort you and the rest of your party back to Titan." He looked back to James who was still looking over at, that man Joe had seen before. Milton was his name? "Care to join us James?" he said aloud to the boy, knowing he could understand language just fine. Then he walked up to Milton, "You are welcome to join as well," he paused, hoping to hear the man introduce himself. "I'm Joe. If you are an able fighter, it would be nice to have you along in case the bandits didn't get what they were looking for, and if not, well, you might be safer with us in that case." And, Joe thought, if you were working with them, I'd rather have you here where I can keep my eye on you.

[Milton]

Ignoring the captives other than his observation of James, the healer stood there.

Only watching James, he reasoned that the wolf did not like blood. But there was more to it. It was almost as if he regretted it. Or at least didn’t intend for it to be there. He was disgusted of it.

Oh, but Milton knew that the feelings of giving death went so much deeper than the blood that stained you. Deeper still were other irremovable stains. Soils or taints as some called them, which were nearly immortal. Any medical man knew that.

He gave the wolf’s stare an empty smile of understanding. It faded quickly when Milton’s eyes caught movement towards him. Without changing postures, he kept his place. Locking hallow eyes on the man who always seamed to know so much.

There was probably more to it than them wanting another fighter. Milton didn’t care about his own safety; and so being out with bandits around wasn’t his concern.

He offered a hand. “Milton.” His voice was deep, but in this neutral.

Joe was no person to tell things about oneself. The healer had his own things to do; things in the other direction than Titan.

Though the wolf had skills. Milton glanced up to James, and walked to the lad. His hand went to touch the familiar fur of his cheek; wiping off a bit of the blood that would always stain him. Afterwards the streak was transfered to a patch on his robes; a square of cloth that was obviously sewn to be replaced easily.

“I will help escort.” His words were more to James than Joe, but he then stood and turned to the man, meeting his eyes.

A deed done is a deed earned.