White Wolf of Avalon: Werewolf Knight

Prelude
Anno Domunis 488

Bledig ran through the verdant spring forest with the speed and confidence of a wolf on a hunt. All his senses were suddenly awakened to every sound and scent. It was as though he was alive for the first time. He whirled around not even out of breath and his eyes shot toward the copse. Could it be? The musky scent entered his nose. He salivated with hunger as a stag leapt away. His nostrils flared as he sniffed. Though it had disappeared from view he knew exactly where it was. Taking it for granted that his instincts were true, he smiled and gave chase. He had just turned thirteen years of age and his adopted father had told him that he would no longer be a boy. Yet what he was feeling could not be the transition between boy and man. It was more. It was magical. The scent of the stag continued down the hill toward a rushing river. It shot across the water and he followed, not wanting to wet his clothing he jumped across and landed easily on the other side with the agility of a horse. On landing he turned and his jaw gaped at the width of the crossing. Exhilarating. The scent was beckoning and he continued his pursuit of the creature. He could not resist the chase. He caught up to the stag that was far bigger than he imagined and cornered it between two boulders. Its eyes were white with fear. Why? The beast had the advantage of size. It snorted and lowered its massive head baring lethal antlers in preparation to defend itself.

Bledig crouched and emitted a guttural growl. Sharp fangs emerged from his gums. His heart constricted. His hand went to his mouth feeling the blade sharp teeth. Was he becoming a beast? The trapped snorting stag attacked. He leapt out of its way as it sped toward the glen. It could have killed him but instead it ran. Perhaps, like him, it was not sure what curse had come upon him. His chest heaving he suddenly felt cold and unease. Was he cursed? A few days back he had shot a hare close to the sacred Isle. His heart hammered. He was too close to where the fae practiced the sorcery of the old ways. There were tales of trespassers being changed into beasts or trapped inside trees. The misty forest near Avalon was teeming with the fae who loved to trick and enchant unwary trespassers. His parents had warned him of hunting in the sacred forest filled with pixies and dark magic. Through the foliage on the pristine blue lake was the fog shrouded Isle of Avalon.

The sound of a twigs breaking made him turn and roar a growl as if it was the most natural thing to do. There standing before him was the Merlin, known as Myriddin, the Druid bard and wizard. It was rumored he lived in the forest near Avalon like a hermit. His long white beard and white cloak made him look like he was older than the oldest oak tree. It was he who had trained the new king, Arthur Pendragon. Years back, his foster father, a blacksmith, had forged a sword for Myriddin that would someday protect and serve the new king. The sword had been taken to the sorceress Morgan le Fey who had enchanted it.
His voice was low but with a bit of humor in his tone. I see the moon waxes to its fullest this evening.

Bledig bowed. My lord. I beg your humble apology for traversing too close to Avalon.

The Merlin laughed. You dont know do you? He took out two apples from his cloak and threw him one. Eat. The mage bit into his apple and nodded with a smile. Ah so sweet.

Not sure but not wanting to seem distrustful Bledig bit. His canines prevented him from taking a proper bite and he stopped the attempt. He tipped his chin to appear brave and pointed to his teeth. Are these fangs of your doing my lord?

The Merlin bit off another piece and swallowed before speaking. He frowned as if insulted. Boy do you think so little of me that my magic would create a spell as minor as mere fangs? He took a breath, whipped out his wand and pointed it at a small rock, whilst mumbling words in an old language. The rock vibrated, turned into a wren and flew off.

Bledig gaped, feeling drool drip down over his lip. He wiped his mouth with his the back of his hand. He had not meant to offend the great mage. He shook his head quickly. No. Its just that my body did things I never imagined. He fingered where his fangs had protruded. My fangs are gone. He went on his knees. Thank you, my lord!

Like I said, Myriddin drawled. I had nothing to do with your enchanted powers and wolf fangs.

Bledig blinked up. So I was under an enchantment. Perhaps the fae or a sorceress?

Myriddin snickered with a twinkle in his deep blue eyes. You will find out soon enough, he said cryptically. He offered his hand.

Bledig took it and in one swoop he was on his feet facing the most powerful Druid. He was amazed how strong the Merlins grip was despite his age. What do you mean soon enough?

Myriddin raised an eyebrow. Seven years ago when your father forged Excalibur you were no more than a small whelp. But now. He shook his head. For a boy of thirteen you are indeed as tall as I.

The Merlin was tall, towering over most men. Pride in his heritage warmed Bledig. I was told by my tutor, Ulfius, that my real father was nearly a giant. He had grown taller than his adopted father in only the last seven months.

The Merlin smiled. How is Ulfius these days? I have not seen the old knight since I last visited Avalon.

He is well. He told me I may soon be ready to become a page or even a squire by the next winter solstice. He looked directly at the Merlin as if in challenge. I surmised my father must have been a knight.

Merlin gave a brusque nod. A fierce one he was.

He gulped in anticipation. You knew my real father?

He sighed, his eyes downcast as if saddened by the memory. He was a great knight and a friend to Uther Pendragon.

His heart soared. A knight. His foster parents spoke only a few words about who had brought him to be fostered in their home. It was common for boys born to fae women of Avalon to be given to others to foster. These women were small, the size of a child, but when they appeared to mortals they became tall like human women. Only the girl babes were kept by Avalons fae women, since unlike the boys they retained the fae ability to shift. His parents knew nothing about his real parents. They told him that Morgan le Fey and a mysterious Roman woman, a great aunt, had dropped him off. Tell me about him.

Myriddin cast him a wry smile. King Arthurs sister, Morgan le Fey and your great aunt Silvia will soon explain everything.

My great aunt? He had known of her but had never given her much thought. He assumed she had dropped him off on orders of his mysterious fae mother. A woman he had hoped to someday meet.

Myriddin looked around surreptitiously as if he had revealed too much. I must return to the underground.

Underground? I thought you served Arthur in Camulod.

He shrugged. I must remain where we still can freely practice the old ways. His tone became sad. I am but an echo from our Kings past. He gestured with open arms and palms up to the sky as he swiveled his head to take in his surroundings. My home is beneath the forest close to Avalon.

I must know. Why did I run with the speed of a horse and why do I have a hounds sense of smell? His despair arose. Am I cursed?

Bah, cursed do ye think? He laughed. Nay, you are blessed.

Myriddin stepped closer. And what else do you smell boy? He stood with his fists on his hips, making him look more menacing.

He sniffed and closed his eyes. Your cloak smells of clover and quick silver.

Hah, clover I used a few days ago and quick silver I worked with the past night. He tugged at his beard. I was not aware quick silver had an odor, but then again Im no hound.

A new scent appeared magically. Bledig sniffed deeply and sighed with delight as he caught the scent of animal flesh.

Myriddin looked down at Bledigs feet. I see the sweet apple has been discarded. He took a piece of raw meat out from his cloak that was a bottomless pouch of goods. He flashed a wide grin. Perhaps this is more to your liking?

His fangs suddenly emerged with the anticipation of tasting it in his mouth. Without thinking Bledig grabbed and chomped on it, making grunting satisfactory sounds. Satisfying his initial hunger and savoring the taste of fresh blood juices dribbling down his chin, he suddenly realized how rude he was. Mortified at his bestial behavior, he swallowed it in one gulp and wiped his lips with his sleeve. His Roman tutor, Ulfius, had taught him proper manners. He felt his face heat up. Before he could open his mouth to apologize the Merlin spoke as if reading his mind.

No need to apologize. By the morrow you will understand your nature and accept your destiny.

By the morrow?

Bah, I have said enough. Morgans powers are now greater than mine. She will banish me if I say more. He laughed wholeheartedly. To think she was once my student. Tis amusing for one as wise and powerful as me to fear retribution from a little fae.

Bledig had heard rumors of Morgan le Fey and the mysterious Lady of the Lake, Viviane. They punished those that betrayed the old ways of the goddess and gods of the land. It was rumored that since Arthurs wife Gwendolyn had become a Christian, Merlin had broken his relationship with Arthur, the boy he had raised as his own. He lowered his voice. Is she here my lord?

He winked. Soon my boy, soon. He spread his white cloak. Farewell young Bledig.

Wait! What did he mean, soon? In a flash of light the Merlin took on the shape of a large white raven and flew off toward an oak tree grove disappearing inside a gaping hole of a large gnarled tree. What would it be like to shift into an animal?

The wind picked up and he caught the scent of his mothers fresh loaves. He turned and headed home before the evening hit.

Bledig rushed into the good sized cottage. Ogwen his foster father had done well as the local blacksmith. He noted the rich aromas, each scent as distinct as a single color. His nose had become as important as his eyes in observing his surroundings. The table appeared to be ready for guests. There were roasted chickens, cooked turnips, three loaves of bread and several flagons of ale.

Cari shot him a smile as she shooed away a goat. Where have you been?

I ran in the forest to the very edge of the lake.

Her brow furrowed with worry. We have warned you of the dangers of being so close to the Isle of Avalon. You might have been turned into a boar or some other hideous beast.

He felt foreboding at such a thought for he felt less human and more beastlike. Something is different. He did not know how to tell her. I ran fast enough to keep up with a stag.

She placed her hands over her heart. She had always been superstitious and by the look on her ashen face she probably thought he was cursed. Yet the Merlin had called him blessed.

He changed the subject so as not to worry her. Are we expecting guests?

If you must know, we are celebrating your birthday and to keep the evil spirits out we have invited, no received word that she hesitated. Morgan le Fey and a woman named Silvia are coming back for you.

A flicker of fear spread across his face. Back for me? Why?
She scratched her head and shook her head with fret. We meant to tell you earlier but our hearts were torn. We dreaded the day you would leave us on your thirteenth birthday.

Father never mentioned it. And does Ulfius know? For the last seven years an old Roman Knight, Ulfius, had tutored him twice a week in everything from Latin to mathematics, to swordsmanship. All he knew was that Ulfius had been sent by a great aunt he had never met. Could this Silvia be his great aunt? Bledig had pestered Ulfius for answers but he had told him that he was honor bound to simply teach him and not divulge anything more until he was a man. Last meeting Ulfius had asked him if he had dreamt of hunting on all fours like a wolf. He had told him yes and then his old tutor had gathered his materials and left in haste before even having him review all the cases in Latin. Whatever had happened with his more attuned senses and superhuman strength and speed, Ulfius must know why.

She twisted a brave smile. Yes, Ulfius will be here as well.

Something was indeed different. Ulfius rarely visited after dark. He felt tears well. I dont want to go!

She took him in her arms even though he towered over her. She had grown shorter the last year and her once dark hair had now turned gray. We love you and always will. She looked up at him. Now go help your father. He wanted you to help him move the large anvil.
He gulped. He was no longer a boy who should be sniffling as if he had skinned his knee. It would not be so bad. He would go with Ulfius and perhaps become his squire and someday serve the king as a brave knight. He nodded and headed to his fathers work shed.

Ogwen wiped sweat from his soot covered brow on his always ruddy face. There you are. Help me move the anvil over there.

I can do it myself. Bledig got to it first and lifted it with ease.
Not possible Ogwen gaped, his eyes as big as an owls.

Bledig twisted a smile, trying to suppress his worry. I need to talk to you about my new abilities.

Ogwen scrunched his brow into a look of deep concern. What do you mean?

Bledig rapidly explained his new highly attuned senses and his ability to leap and run like a wild beast. Seeing the look of fear creep on his fathers face he omitted the presence of fangs. His nose also caught a whiff of a new scent from his father. Fear. Does this have anything to do with the magic of Avalon?

Ogwen puckered his lips in thought. Ive noticed how alert and strong you have grown the last month. All these years I have raised you knowing you were special from the moment Morgan le Fey and the Roman woman brought you as a mere babe. Why else would they send Ulfius to teach you?

Yet you never told me anything. Why?

His eyes widened and his ruddy face reddening even more in the light of the furnace. Before speaking he looked around fugitively and then whispered. I do not interfere with the old ways and certainly not with the likes of Morgan and the Merlin.

His voice somber. And tonight they come for me.

Your mother and I were told that on the full moon near the thirteenth year of your birth it would be your destiny to return with your great aunt, the Lady Silvia.

Silvia. Bledig sounded out the foreign sounding name.

Ogwen slowly nodded. Put out the flames, wash up and meet us in the cottage. Wear your clean breeches.

Before Bledig could ask more questions, Ogwen left. He felt his heart suddenly quicken. Something was not right. No. Something felt too right. Exhilarating. A surge of pleasurable energy shot up his spine and he groaned in ecstasy. He fisted his hands and howled like a wolf. Prickly white fur began to emerge from his arms, throat, face and back. He began to shimmer and saw his nose elongate. He fell on all fours. His legs became furred, his feet formed into paws. The crack of his joints reforming should have been agonizing but instead it felt good, like snapping a neck back in place. His senses were even more attuned than they were before. He gazed down at his new body. He was a white wolf, but not an ordinary wolf, a wolf the size of a large stag or a bear... a monster. His ripped garments lay on the ground. It was now dark but he saw things as clearly as day. The sound of crickets reverberated in his head. So loud.

Bledig!! Ogwen called out for him and rushed in. He eyed the torn clothing. NO! He picked up an ax.

Bledig stared at the maddened blacksmith ready to charge with the fierce weapon. He must think he had been killed by the giant wolf. Im Bledig. Would he have to kill his foster father in self defense? He backed away trying to speak, but instead curling his lips displaying long fangs and growling.

A small woman with dark hair and a green cloak stood behind the horror-struck blacksmith. Stop!

Ogwen, his chest heaving, did not take his eyes off him. The wolf has devoured Bledig!

Nay, the wolf is Bledig. She moved in front of Ogwen with a smile. Bledig, it will be alright. You can shift back.

Another woman, tall and elegant with long gray braided hair walked in followed by his teacher Ulfius. Bledig, I am Silvia, your fathers aunt. With an outstretched arm she stepped closer to him. Do not be frightened.

Bledig cocked his head to one side. He recognized her scent, her kind. His kind. No. He did not want to be a wolf. He wanted to be a man, a squire who would fight as a knight for King Arthur. He could not be an animal. Gripped by sudden fear he reacted with his hackles up and snarled at Silvia.

Fearless, the woman, his aunt, turned to the others. Leave us.
Ogwen his eyes wide in alarm shook his head but allowed the small dark woman and Ulfius to escort him away.

Alone his great aunt smiled and shimmered. In moments she too was a wolf. Gray with designs of purple stripes in the shape of lightning bolts on her shoulders. She spoke to him in the language of the wolf and he understood.

She trotted out into the woods and he followed as if under a spell.
Together they hunted and killed a large tusked boar. She allowed him the first flesh and he had taken it. He ate with great relish. She gave him a wolfish grin and joined him in the feast. Enjoying the succulent tissue, he wolfed it down until his belly bloated like a dead fish. As Bledig shook another chunk off the boars haunches, he stared down at his white bloodied fur and then at her. With a wolfish look of horror, he whined and shifted back to his human form. He yelled. No! Naked, he ran back home. She tried to catch up, but now old it was hard to keep up with the young alpha with the speed of the wolf in spite of his human form.

Bledig packed his belongings and sighed. In one single night his comfortable life had altered. The next morning after his first hunt as a wolf he had argued with his great aunt Silvia about his destiny, one not of his choosing. He was the son of a wolfen, or what his great aunt Silvia called a lycan. He had always longed to be the son of a great knight and a beautiful woman of Avalon, but this legacy of having the blood of a beast was not of his choosing. It was a brutal world. She had explained the next morning that his parents and twin brother had been slain by a lycan for power. His heart stirred, a deep emptiness revealed itself. A brother? Was that the missing part of his life? The presence hed felt when he was too young to know better? A silent voice telling him to add more kindling to the hearth or a phantom kick during a nights sleep. That presence that had left long ago must have been the spirit of his brother.

Bledig closed the chest that contained all his possessions. He was to leave the home he had known all his life and go to Avalon with his great aunt and Ulfius, his mentor. He wanted no part of being a lycan or a member of a secret society he knew little of and worse cared little about. He felt a pang of guilt. His real parents had loved him, but he felt nothing for them except a vague need to seek justice and perhaps vengeance. A soft knock on the door to his small chamber snapped him from his dark melancholy. Come.

Ulfius stepped in. I see you are ready. The wagon will carry your chest. He shot him a wry smile, perhaps to cheer him up. I brought you a fine young colt, new to the saddle. He is still dark gray but in a few years will be as white as snow.

A colt? Bledig should have been more excited at the prospect of a steed but he had too many questions about his nature to care about a new horse. His resentment toward the teacher he had known most of his life flamed his anger. His great aunt had told him Ulfius was a human that served the lycans. He flashed his fierce blue eyes at him. Why did you never tell me the truth, Lupercii? He emphasized the title with a sarcastic tone.

The gray bearded and now bald mentor averted his gaze. His crooked stoop hinted at his advanced age. I as a Lupercii to our goddess Feronia am honor bound to secrecy. He straightened his back and folded his arms. I longed to tell you the truth. For your sake it was safer not to reveal your true nature until the time was right. An enchantment by Lady Morgan le Fey has kept Lady Silvia and my whereabouts a secret from Gorlagon and Gargol. They are well aware that I killed their father Guto on orders from my lady Silvia. But now that you have had your first shift you must return with us to be properly trained. They have no knowledge of a second son, but if they did they would seek you out and rip your throat.

Why kill me when they already rule the Briton packs?

Lady Silvia as well as the Lupercal prophesized a white wolf will unite the packs of Britain, Hibernia and Caledonia.

Do the sons of Guto know of such a prophecy?

It was thought that Weylyn, your father, was the white wolf but then he married Arwen, a Hibernian wolf maiden. You see, the white wolf must choose a mate from our ancient Romano/Hellenic line such as a wolf maiden from the Mediterranean region.

He scoffed. I suppose Gutos sons are not white wolves.

Both are dark gray. Gorlagon hopes he will someday have a son that fits this prophecy. His first wolf maiden from Naples died along with her babe in childbirth. He is now with another woman from an old Roman line from Gaul. His younger brother who is five years your senior is still without a wolf maiden.

Does the Lupercal know I am still alive?

Only the leader of the council, Accalia, knows of your existence.
He gulped. Was he really destined to be the king of a pack of lycans?

Gorlagon and Gargol may cross paths with you and sense your nature but they may assume you are of the old Celtic wolf line. That is why we named you Bledig.

And what had my parents named me?

Ulfius shrugged. You would have been Weylyn the Second and your brother was named Silvio. As far as they know, Weylyn the Second died at the hands of Guto.

And you my teacher have lived near Lady Silvia?

I live in her modest palace. I have loved her all my life and am her devoted consort.

Bledig had noticed their strong bond. The way they looked at each other was deep with respect and all abiding love and tenderness. She had referred to Ulfius as beloved. My great aunt explained alpha she-lycans are barren so that explains why you had no children of your own.

His eyes twinkled. I never told you but I did have a son, who like you was fostered far away near King Arthurs court. Sir Lanval. Every summer he would come and stay with me and Silvia. I taught him the ways of the Lupercii. Fortunately he was proud of his legacy and returned to marry a fae, who chose to leave the magical Isle.

Bledig felt his brow tighten. You betrayed your love, yet my aunt forgave you.

Ulfius laughed. Forgave me? Hah, it was she who encouraged me to honor Beltane with a fae. At first I refused but after her years of pestering I finally relented. You see, she could not live knowing I never had a child because I chose to stay with her. I did not know the woman who wore the mask that night would be the queen of the fae Viviane. I was honor bound not to tell Sir Lanval of his mothers real identity, only that she was a Druid priestess of the old ways.
He is a knight? All he ever hoped for was to someday become a knight and serve the king.

You will be his squire. Ulfius chuckled. Like his fae mother, Lanval is short but still quite stout. Dont let his size fool you, he has fought well in many battles. King Arthur made him a knight of the Roundtable. And his dark good looks even drew the attention of Guineveres lustful eyes. Imagine the queen seeking him out.

Bledig knew Arthurs queen was much younger than her king but such a betrayal did not sit well with him. I will be proud to be his squire but I will not succumb to my wolfish nature. I will remain a man.

Ulfius gave him a wan smile. So you say now my son, but the glory of your lycan blood becomes pleasurable and tempting on the full moon. Feronia willing you will someday find your chosen wolf maiden.

He latched the chest shut and gave Ulfius a sidelong glance. I will not seek out such a woman. He raised a questioning brow. Pray tell me, does a lycan find her by her scent?

Ulfius frowned as he always did before arguing a point but then softened his stern look. No, tis not easy. To lycans a wolf maiden has the scent of any ordinary human woman. Once found the alpha will be drawn to her but still he must make sure she has the blessed mark of the lycan wolf paw upon her left hip.

A sudden surge of tightening in his groin at the thought of gazing upon a womans exposed left hip made him feel the flush of heat upon his face. He cast his eyes down, now curious. These women, are they always born into a pack?

Most are but more and more are born throughout the land with no knowledge they are wolf maidens. These girls have a strong connection to wolves and hounds but know naught why. We Lupercii often look for wolf maidens amongst human society for our alphas, but we must take care we dont scare them off.

The thought of an innocent young woman not knowing she would be wed to a man beast made him cringe.

He only wanted to be a knight and perhaps someday follow a chivalrous manner of courting with a fair damsel, not some woman with a bestial mark upon her flesh. Prophecy or not he chose to live his life as a man and let the lycans choose another leader. He lifted his chest of worldly possessions and followed Ulfius out and hauled it onto the wagon.

His adopted father came out carrying a fine adorned sword with a large moonstone on its hilt.

This is a gift for you my son, may it serve you well. Inside the moonstone was a white wolf head.

Bledigs jaw dropped and his eyes widened. Except for Excalibur, which Ogwen had forged for the king, he had never seen a finer sword. He took it in his hand and gazed at it as if it was Excalibur. It shined like the sun itself.

Silvia stood beside him. The moonstone was a gift I gave you on your birth.

Thank you father and thank you great aunt. He slipped it in his sword belt and embraced his father and then his teary eyed mother. I promise I will visit when possible.

Ogwen nodded. I know you will. Best you leave before noon.

Father, Im sorry I frightened you last night. Silvia cast him a stern eye as if he had said something wrong.

Ogwen raised an eyebrow. Last night? I was only upset you would see the sword too early.

Bledig was confused. Ulfius shook his head to signal him not to say any more. He understood. Somehow perhaps Morgan le Fey who had escorted Ogwen out of the shed on the previous night had enchanted him to forget seeing Bledig in the form of a large wolf. He patted the sword. Trust me father, I had no idea.

Cari handed him a sac of provisions for the road while Ulfius brought his new horse he called Saturnus to him. He had not much time to admire the colt but knew that the tall mount promised to serve him well. Silvia clucked for her horses to pull the wagon whilst he and Ulfius mounted.

Saturnus high stepped forward and Bledig knew it would not be an easy first ride. He turned one last time to see his childhood home. Sad to leave his foster parents but gladdened to seek new adventures.

He asked Saturnus to canter alongside Silvias wagon. Tell me, did my brother receive a gift from you upon his birth as well?

She reigned in her horses to a walk and he managed to slow Saturnus. I knew all along your mother was to deliver twins. Back then I was the packs midwife as well as Lupercal advisor. Your brother, Silvio was given a moonstone just like yours. When your mother was killed, she died with the babe in her arms and the moonstone in his blanket. At least she did not see Guto kill Silvio.

Did Ulfius find the other moonstone?

Nay. It was taken by Guto who must keep it somewhere in his castle.

Bledig did not know how or when but someday he would take back his brothers moonstone. It was a promise he would keep.

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