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Hallowed Moon
Category:
Fantasy
Publisher: Publish America
ISBN-10: 1607032511
Type: Fiction
ISBN-13: 9781607032519
Werewolves we have all heard of them, thought of them as fantasy, a great story of terror on occasion. In this story they are a silent culture, one that has grown as our own. The time has come to get to know one another...
This novel is a various mix of fantasy and fact. It weaves around history and begs the question "What do we really know about the world we live in?" The story has been read by young and old alike and entertains long after the reader has stopped.
Excerpt
Prologue
Ellora knelt in prayer circle, her heart grieving. She was calling upon the higher powers to help her understand her visions and fears. The higher powers are not so very helpful this morning. Like so many mornings as of late. Her tears had dried on her face as the early morning sun tinted the horizon. Out all night again. She sighed.
What am I to do? A man will give me great happiness and then my family will be slaughtered? Should I just avoid this man and all the heartache he will bring?
Her hands tingled as a vision seized her attention it racked her body with power. Her mind’s eye shot through a narrow opening in time and showed her two lovely children, each very small. She sensed other children but did not see them. These two had rare qualities. As a High Witch she had learned to see these qualities in those around her. Recognition of such talents made it easier to understand her would be opponents and it also helped her to see the potential of others.
These two were special and again her vision shot her through time. The two girls recognizably older and alone, their hearts like open wounds while still so young. Together they traveled far from the home of their birth. Each carried with them something of great worth, possibly a gift or a treasure. They each had the second sight or the ability to see into the future for brief glimpses of time and they used it to become fairly invisible. No one saw them or spoke to them. They traveled by boat, by horse, and by foot, they knew when and where to be at all times. They worked together until they were safe in a new land then with a hug they parted. Neither looked back, neither shed a tear for the other.
Again her sight traveled far ahead. Wolves were in each of their lives, they were their friends the ones they trusted and loved. How very strange that such an animal could become such a strong part of life, Ellora mused.
Distracted her vision of the two stopped however Ellora’s sight did not dim. A white wolf was standing before her, more lovely and beautiful than she had ever seen. This wolf is strong and powerful and judging from the size of him could pass for a child’s pony. Ellora felt a great tension building as if a greater power pulled at her. Feelings so deep were urging her to touch this wolf. She saw herself running her hands through his thick fur. His eyes were tender and kind as she looked into them. Ellora saw herself in them and in the end it was the oddness of his eyes that shocked her enough the vision stopped.
Coming out of the vision she was breathing fairly heavy. Her rapid panting was creating a wreath of fog in front of her face. The early morning still carried a chill. Her cape and hood keeping her plenty warm as the sun rose up in earnest. The slight kiss of sunlight warmed her. Ellora gathered her things and looked around her surroundings careful not to leave any trace behind. Her mind distracted, wondered if she would meet this wolf soon.
Unfortunately visions do not always give me exact facts to use, time being the most elusive. Ellora sighed. Visions are always more fluid then set. Ellora had found this to be true through sad experience. It is only an understanding of what is to come, but not when it will arrive. She reminded herself.
Her things all carefully gathered and the remnants of her circle were destroyed. Ellora was always so very careful so as not to alert the town’s folk of her presence. Witch hunts were still a very real part of life for Ellora. The last woman burned for witch craft was not a witch. Just the thought was enough to upset Ellora. The poor woman her husband had grown tired of her nagging ways and her inability to give him children. Ellora had known it was the husband that carried the inability to give the woman children. She sighed; I am unable to talk to anyone about what I know. No one could understand. While simply keeping quiet means that I do not become burned alive or hung by my own neck.
Ellora’s coven was in another area, and 4 times a year (on the cross quarter days) they would leave their families to gather and talk of all that was happening around them. Many of their number had been killed in recent years. Ellora was the High Witch she had the second sight and the ability to see truth in others. It had allowed her to pass as a stronger witch than she really was while she was still young. Though now she was experienced in all areas of her craft Ellora was first to recognize that a greater spirit always had a hand in all life.
Much as one can know about how to change things there are times when that greater spirit will not allow things to be changed. She sighed allowing her mind to muse over many thoughts. Walking up the trail she came to the trail head and paused. At her feet Ellora saw the paw prints of a wolf. These markings were larger than her slippered foot. The print was actually closer in size to that of a bear. This troubled her and fascinated her all at once. Still drawn to the power in this animal she knelt down and touched the imprints of his feet. Her hand looked so small where it lay inside the imprint in the soil.
Ellora looked around, for an instant her mind’s eye opened and she saw herself viewed from behind as through another’s eyes. Standing she turned her head in the hopes of seeing him but the wolf had already wandered away.
Still curious she would have liked to stay but knowing the villagers as she did Ellora hurried on her way. This wolf watches me now she would look more openly for him. She knew she would see him soon maybe then she would understand what she felt toward this wolf. For now she was content to hurry to her cottage, her home hopefully before those of the village turn up for their herbs.
At home she had hardly settled her things under her bed when her first customer arrived needing the herbs for his tight, and aching muscles. She smiled and brewed a quick tea. This she gave the older man in a small wooden cup. While he sipped it Ellora gathered a small bag to set in his own pot each morning.
“This should last about a week, and then lose its strength. Just bring it back and I will refill it each time.” She smiled again knowing he was a kind man, though he often worried if it was magic she used to keep him coming. This morning the worried look on his face said there had been some talking in the village again.
“Pray tell me your troubles good man yours is a very sad face indeed.” She set her hand on his and smiled in friendship.
“Are you sure you have not played the part of the witch? I am in great pains if I do not take this tea, surely it is magic.” His voice squeaked the last words, as if afraid to talk further. He did not need too, by touching his hand she could connect to his thoughts that pertained to her.
It was always thus for her as a child it frightened her out of her wits a few times. It would frighten any child to know that they were not safe for many men had ugly minds. Pushing these thoughts from her she pulled out the last of the herbs for joint pain.
“As you can see these dried plants are common enough. It is only that my Mother instructed me and her Mother before her. Old one, you have nothing to fear. If I could write I would write them down for all to make teas at their leisure but such is my part I can only recall, and so need not write a word.” She again smiled in friendship. The older man now relieved left Ellora’s cottage with a slight spring in his step.
Watching him leave Ellora felt a quiet sadness grow in her chest the time was coming that she would leave this village and everyone in it behind. It is not worth my life to stay and act the part of the lonely herb lady. She understood it was far better to live alone and as myself then to live among others in fear. She anticipated a fine cottage surrounded by trees and flowers, still she gave herself a few more days to plan and prepare. She would want many things to take like her herbs and plenty of food. She had a horse she could use to carry all she owned of value to her. Everything else will be left for anyone to claim.
Ellora’s wandering thoughts opened a new vision in which she saw her present home. At first she did not understand until she saw it all burning. Darkness surrounded the flames it is at night, all her things were burned. Her breathing was labored it took several gulps of air for her to settle the clawing fear inside her.
“Miss Rune, do you have a moment? We, the town committee, would like very much to speak to you concerning a few… things.” Percival Jerrin was a small nasally speaking man Ellora never liked him for he was one who would have liked to abuse her even while she was a child. She turned around and smiled to hide her deep feelings of loathing.
“You shocked me sir, I am sorry, do come in.”
Percival Jerrin wasted no time in pleasantries he just got straight to the point. “I hope you understand my dear Ellora.” His tone was possessive enough to not cast doubt of his claim over her. “If you have a husband to vouch for your herbs we could dispel many of these worries.” In his arrogance he didn’t notice her confusion. “Since you have no husband we must believe the people of the village, you understand.”
“I am certain I do not know what you mean Percival Jerrin. Why would I need a husband to dispel worries and to what worries do you refer?” Ellora was sure to add a look of stupidity to her question even though she knew quiet well that it was he who left out important bits of information.
Percival Jerrin held his nose in the air. Her question succeeded in making him feel superior. Ellora studied the man who had been trying to be a husband to her since she became a woman at 16. The same man had harassed her poor mother to the grave for wanting to marry Ellora. Mother died worried he would steal me away from my home. Naturally it didn’t happen, Ellora often used her second sight to stay out of his way. There were other would be suitors but none such as him. In time Percival Jerrin married an innocent woman of great fortune. Percival Jerrin proved himself a vile man later when he had his wife burned for his lust of Ellora. His lust allowed him to burn her even as she visibly carried his child. The child he claimed was the result of her union with the devil. Mistress Jerrin could no more prove such a thing as disprove it. Percival Jerrin was the greatest evil thing Ellora had met so far in her life and she meant to stay clear of him at all costs.
“The committee has heard some rather disturbing facts about your Herbs Miss Rune. We have been told of healing properties uncommon in old age and sleep that overtakes those who drink it. Still other stories were of children unable to be delivered without the drink and women capable of preventing themselves from conception.” According to the look on Percival Jerrin and the two men with him the last comment being the greatest of her offenses. “Now, the village has agreed that if you were to marry these suspicions of witchcraft would quickly be cast aside. You would no longer have to sell these herbs to provide a living for yourself and in this way we could offer you a husband’s protection. This is absolutely something you must consider my dear.” His hand touched hers the two men with him smiled.
The elderly man on his left did not regularly clean his teeth as if to prove her observation the rotten ones dangled in full view as he smiled. Looking at the filthy site made her gag so hard inwardly that her eyes began to water. Percival Jerrin’s hand holding hers did nothing to comfort her. His thoughts were an unwelcome invasion, for she saw exactly what he had in mind for her.
A life of domination and acts that are unnatural, she shivered. He thought of this as attraction? Oh; he is a foul man indeed.
Her sense of right and wrong warned her to tread with caution. This is not the time to anger the man who has neither said nor done anything others will view as incorrect. Percival Jerrin thus far contained his vile heart within his own mind. People of the village will listen to him not me.
“I am honored and I am very grateful for your kind offer.” Percival Jerrin smiled in victory and compelled Ellora to move forward. “I have no wish to marry at this time, maybe ever. I like selling herbs Master Jerrin I like knowing that my knowledge can help others live a life in more comfort. I have studied herbs all my life, herbs can be grown like anything in your garden, it is not witchcraft to have large carrots, gentlemen, nor to have the largest tree in the village. Surely the people of the village know this as well as I. Surely I am not to be accused by you who have offered to protect me by marriage. I trust with you I am safe from harm.” With a smile she opened her cottage door as she dismissed them from her home.
All three men carried a look of bewilderment. To Ellora it was evident that all women were easily smarter then they themselves, it was easy to see how quickly I could become accused for saying anything that made them feel less intelligent then they thought they were. The 3 men said nothing as they left they just looked at each other. Ellora watched them out of concern for several minutes after they left this, she trembled, is not over.
The 3 men were barely out of her sight when a vision opened men and women all around her were angry and carrying torches in the darkness. One man dragged her by her red hair into a position to better see. The unkind grip of her hair allowed a connection to his mind as he dreamed of ugly things he would like to do to her.
Ellora shivered as the vision closed then became sick into her wash bowl. What am I to do? I could leave today. No, I have too much to prepare. Her garden still had many days before she could harvest, my herbs, I need to prepare so many for the journey. If only I knew where I should go where I could be safe. How am I to know anything when so much hangs still on my choices? If only my night long prayers had come up with more information and less questions. She had only wanted more information about her dreams of late, the deaths, heartache and suffering.
Sitting on her bed she lost track of how many tears fell down her face, it was hard to know that someday all she loved would die, and then still she saw two of her dear ones surviving. Hope is not lost. Not fully. She chose then to focus on the good though at times it was agony to know only bits and pieces of her future. Agony to understand, only parts, of the information given to her with none of what she needed to act upon the same information. Hunger pangs are what motivated Ellora to press forward with her day, and it is no wonder it is time for lunch. She thought while looking at the placement of the sun amazed. Cheese, bread, and a small pot of tea stopped the pangs of hunger and settled her worries. For some time she set about her work for the day, cleaning house, setting her bread to rise and tending her garden.
It was while she prepared her dinner she felt as if she needed to prepare now to leave and suddenly was spurred into action. Out of her small cellar, little more than a few loose boards in her floor, she pulled her small storage of vegetables. As with all vegetables they were coming of age now having been stored all winter. Still Ellora was grateful to have them knowing she would not starve. She had a few potatoes and carrots, a couple apples, and several of her regular herbs. All these she put into her satchel along with a change of clothes, a drawing of her mother, and several candles she used for prayer. The last few precious things she rest on top were her comb, long stockings, and her shawl. As a last minute thought Ellora added her favorite fire starter, two rocks carefully wrapped so they would not knock about in her bag.
In a separate satchel she placed her small herb pot to cook in, tucking in a small knife and spoon as well. As if in a dream she saw herself put it all under a rock she knew of not far from her home. In all haste she darted out and did as she had seen.
Dusk was falling upon her return as Ellora neared her home she heard voices. It was not unusual for people to come at this hour some lived as close as an hour away from her cottage, it would still be possible to make it home before it was full dark. When she stepped out of the cover of the trees a feeling of dread came over her. Cautiously she neared her home as her eyes darted about the crowd until she saw the same three angry men. It was different now since the 3 had brought more angry men and they came with torches. That meant that they intended to stay here to question her or to watch her die then go back to their own homes long after darkness fell.
Ellora’s mind was battling with reason all of these people are my regular customers. Ellora’s heart nearly skipped a beat when someone grabbed her from behind and held tight to her hair. Now what am I to do? She was beginning to feel frightened when she saw a flash of white in the crowd. This flash of white calmed her as she puzzled over it. It seemed odd to her that anyone would bring a child here with them. Mercifully again she saw a flash of white from behind several familiar faces. What else could it be but a child? As disturbing as it sounded the idea of a child being present calmed her enough to put on a brave face despite the anger of the mob around her.
Just then scream pierced the air causing the man holding her hair to jump. It was a vicious tug of her hair yet Ellora understood it was a man’s scream. One after another shouts rang out, a few in the crowd just seemed to hold their breath but it did them no good. The crowd parted long enough for Ellora to see the cause of all the terror. The white wolf of her dreams used his great paw to tear at each of them. He killed none of them although several were hurt the crowd gathered and separated alternatively in front of her. Each time Ellora got a glimpse of him she was amazed that his solid white body seemed to glow as the sky grew darker. The wolf steadily became lighter.
“She has used her powers to call this wolf to kill us.” A woman screamed after noticing Ellora’s interest in the animal.
“Kill her and the beast will leave.” Another person interjected.
“Let her be!” Screamed the short nasally man they knew as Percival Jerrin.
As the wolf walked closer to Percival Jerrin the short trebling man waved his torch. Back and forth he waved the torch pitifully. Had the others not been just as frightened by the wolf surely they would have all laughed at him. To Ellora his face was just a travesty of terror, she unlike all in attendance was not afraid in the slightest. Fascinated she watched the wolf easily take the torch from the little man, and throw it at his feet.
Percival Jerrin was just as afraid of the torch as the wolf itself. The wolf had easily torn the torch from his own hand. The wolf was not afraid of the flames it carried or any of the men who attempted to use the torches as a weapon. Percival Jerrin saw the flames lick the side of his suit pants as he weighed his options. His eyes were wild and so terrified of burning he kicked it away from where he stood cornered by the wolf.
In those fragile seconds Ellora began to understand the dreams and visions she had worried over. Percival Jerrin’s terrified action caused her house catch fire and burn. So this is the meaning of my vision this morning. Ellora smiled as her house burned. Many who had planned to watch her die started to run. The tall cruel man that held her by the hair dragged her several feet. At last he let go when the wolf turned his menacing anger toward him. It was all over by the time darkness fell. Her would be murderers were all gone no doubt still running away from her and her now fully burning house.
“Thank you kind wolf I am grateful to you for your benevolence. Now what can I do to repay you?” He walked up to her directly. He sat and turned his head as if to question her. Ellora watched him closely for he is like no dog or wolf I have ever seen. He showed no outward signs of his sex but she knew instinctively that he was male. This wolf was quiet large and his eyes had way of looking at her that made them seem so very human looking. Surely he is a magical creature.
“Have you a name white one?” Ellora watched as he seemed to move his mouth to answer still nothing came to her ears.
“Well I don’t know if you have any plans but I could use a friend like yourself. I am between homes you might say.” Her joke may have been out of place under the circumstances but she enjoyed it all the same. “What say you? Be my protector, and allow me to one day repay you for your kindness?” Her smile genuine as she reached out and laid her hands upon his fur. Again her vision of the morning was understood. She felt strongly attached to this wolf as he stood and walked with her. He showed his intelligence by following her directions by doing as she bid. As Ellora collected her bundle of things from under the rock he sat and watched for any danger. He was always ready to fight though no one came Ellora could have told him none would. Ellora and this wolf had frightened the entire village likely others would suffer for her leaving but Ellora had long ago turned her thoughts away from those she could not help.
“Well what shall I call you white one?” The wolf watched her out of the corner of his eye as she went on contented in her thoughts. “Do you like the name Appliunas? I think it a fitting name since it means Father of Light.” Ellora pushed a few stray hairs back behind her ear.
The wolf barked his consent as she put one satchel over her shoulder. Ellora smiled as she pushed off the rock she had come to lean on. They walked steadily through the darkness toward Ellora’s destiny and the vision’s that had once scared her slipped to the lesser used corners of her mind. Now is not the time to dwell on the things I can not understand.
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