Guarding the forest

The forest was dark.

A new moon was shining in a cloudless sky.

Even so, she kept running, oblivious to the branches of the lower trees that scraped the skin, without feeling the slight injuries in the desperation to get out of there.

It was her fifteenth birthday.

The night should have been happy and festive. The castle was decorated and the cooks engaged in a frantic activity in the kitchen in the preparation of delicacies. She simply crossed the big tables like any servant to find refuge in a place other than the imposing castle of Scarlet.

Winter was approaching.

It wouldn't be long before the snow covered the fields.

Many looked forward to the time with satisfaction for the celebration of the choice of the promised one.

Kassuim was not a young woman like any other. First, no one knew that she was a girl. Many people teased the different male name since she did not carry blood family heirlooms. There was also the significant detail that the men of that clan mastered the ability to change shape, becoming wolves.

She was not a wolf.

She had been welcomed as a child by the family who lived in the castle. It was not uncommon at that time for wealthy families to host orphaned children. She had lost her mother when she was a child. She always listened. The intriguing fact was that the young woman showed skills that were little tolerated for a troubled time in which they lived.

She was a witch.

For two centuries this world was protected from human knowledge. They said that at the beginning of time, power was unique.

There was no distinction between sorcerers or wolves. Only times changed, brought wars and the power was corrupted and cursed. Innocent blood had been spilled and two species had made enemies. A natural predator of sorcerers was a wolf. Wolves could just smell the scent of magic in the distance. Some commented that the smell was unmistakable; an essence impregnated with cinnamon and jasmine

It just didn't matter that day anymore.

She was tired of hiding, trying to look like she wasn't. The temper was too rebellious, too explosive. The father of creation always complained about how reckless she was.

Kassuim had never cared until that night.

The overlord of those lands would start the festive ball.

The opportunity - planned after the council of elders in the clan had recognized the future chief of the wolves - was eagerly awaited.

Alpha would be presented to all the people. It was only natural that his mate should be chosen at the same time. It was necessary to guarantee the inheritance of their species.

Adolescence brought a dizzying whirlwind of emotions.

She was young. A little thin and her face was freckled from life under the sun on a ship's deck.

When a clan of wolves lived and was a sorceress, it didn't seem safe to draw any attention. No one ever seemed very interested in a skinny and clumsy cabin boy. Kassuim was tired of living on a ship. She had been taught from childhood to handle swords and pistols.

It was all very natural for a boy to grow up on the deck of a ship serving their people.

In fact, she would rather just forget about that night.

As she ran wildly through the dense blacknight, she got closer and closer to the forest, with her tears so easily coming out.

All the girls in the clan had been invited to the festival. Her sister with dedication had surprised her with the beautiful dress with puffed sleeves, slim and lacy waist and voluminous skirts that were perfect for a young woman who was going to debut her first ball.

Kassuim thought for a moment that she might have permission from a foster father to attend the parties. The scent of any sorcerer could be disguised from wolves with a little tear powder. She observes from a distance like any of the girls in the region the man has chosen to assume the alpha position of the pack.

It was considered an honor for the father who had the chosen daughter. She had never worn a dress before.

Only that the beautiful dress was torn and now by the vegetation, while running from the disappointments and sadness, was a bitter reminder of what had been her birthday that day.

Balls were not made for a wizard when living among wolves. Only her dreams fell apart, everything seemed to be over.

He was going to be there.

They would choose a wife for him. A wife who did not have the stain of her inheritance in her blood, a terrible mark of blood contaminated by magic.

Night fell.

Those lands were never safe after dark.

The dense forest and its closed vegetation sheltered large and ancient oak, chestnut and beech trees that were seen with interest by travelers. Like any forest in a temperate climate, its leaves are reduced, going Like any forest in a temperate climate, ranging from a medium orange to gold to brown. Winter was approaching, some maples and oaks were already losing their leaves for the arrival of cold and low temperatures.

Very soon it would start to snow ...

Numerous shrubs, herbaceous plants, and creepers delayed the young woman's path. There were also several other animals that were frightened by her hurried passage like deer. Finally, there are hardly any more lynxes or mountain lions. Occasionally, perhaps, a bear could be seen looking for shelter to hibernate, but it was mostly wolves that dominated those fertile lands. And your guardians.Ancient legends of protectors that roamed the forest, preventing intruders from approaching.

The elders of the clan said that they were ancient spirits of warriors who were in charge of the safety of the inhabitants.

It didn't seem to make sense in time.

She didn't even know if she was running in circles, lost. Only the forest looked the same and the darkness was getting faster and faster. Stumbling and falling, Kassuim had already secured a safe distance from the castle so they wouldn't come looking for her. She didn't care if the place was dangerous. Only the startled scream escaped her throat when she hit something.

Now that it was totally dark, she couldn't see what had caught her foot. The hands felt the air, seeking any support when fell. Puffing out great gulps of air, she rolled on her side, shrinking, falling amid the large, damp ferns. Lying there alone, she couldn't assess how much time had passed. Beams of moonlight could not be seen seeping between branches of large trees. The night was dark.

Was it always like that inside the forest, the damp, cold darkness? Involuntarily she shivered. The memory of the father returned to memory. She could still see his face look cold, or hear the words spoken slowly and precisely. She would never be accepted. The emotionless expressions were as if they were strangers.

She was just dizzy and unable to understand. Everything felt like a nightmare and she couldn't escape. It has probably been a long time. It didn't matter.

She stayed there for hours when she became aware of what was going on around her. Her skin tightened when the first snowflakes began to fall. She had never enjoyed the winter before. The body numb with cramps makes any movement difficult.

There was a rough sniffing close by. Suddenly, a quiet and silent movement approached. Kassuim rolled her eyes, looking at the darkness.

It was terrible that it was a snowstorm. Shouldn't have stayed there that long. She tried to move her body with movements and capture steps.

Would they be transformed?

The blood froze in her veins as she imagined those scary and violent creatures. Unlike wolves, they were unpredictable, bloodthirsty and unreasonable animals. She should have brought a pistol. She cannot have been so careless when venturing into the depths of the forest without any weapon and was frightened to get up staggering with absolute conviction that her legs could not try to escape from there.

- Salut! Who's there? Hello. - Shouted loudly. - Bonne Nuit ...

There was only silence.

She knew she shouldn't show any fear, but her eyes widened, trying to see the darkness when something hit her with a furious growl making her fall to the floor. Another loud, high-pitched scream echoed through the forest followed by a groan.

The second impact was interrupted in an attempt to breathe.

Continue...