Wookid turned towards Mor Correa, now drinking the restorative waters of the pool. He looked at her, the silver spiral just a feint trace upon his forehead. Wookid knelt before him, acknowledging this extraordinary gift and his incredible power. He gazed into her eyes and she heard his voice all around her.
‘Shahantoc. Take good care of your new companion, he is young and pure of heart - much like you. It is not by chance you have been brought together - your destinies have been entwined since the beginning. A darkness grows outside the forest; it seeks to devour and destroy all that is green and good – it must be stopped before it’s too late. You both have much to learn. You must attain mastery over your powers if we are to save these lands. Your journey’s are just beginning – I will be watching!’
With those words, echoing in her mind, Mór Correa bowed his head in farewell. His body shimmered for a moment, then burst into a flurry of iridescent lights - reds, yellows, greens and blues - the sprits danced in the air, then faded like starlight before the dawn.
Wookid looked around her. The wood for the fire was starting to run low and she thought she had better gather some more before the young wolf woke from his slumber. She took a quick glance over to him and smiled, left her belongings on the ground and wandered off in search of more wood...
Wyld began to awaken. His eyes were closed, but he could hear and smell the fire. He lifted his head instinctively to see if there was danger, but saw that the flames were small and contained. He was laying next to a pool. His head felt fuzzy and painful and his little body was stiff and sore, but more than that, he was insanely thirsty! He didn’t feel strong enough to stand, so he shuffled on his belly to the waters’ edge. Tentatively, he put out his tongue to taste a drop and was delighted to find it was wonderful! Never had he tasted water so pure. He found that the more he drank, the better he felt and he lapped at the pool until his thirst was quenched. He sat on his haunches sniffing the air and wondering how he how he got here - then suddenly…
Rumble…..Rumble……Rumble…..
He was hungry – ravenous in fact. Just then, he caught the scent of something that smelled fantastic! Laying on the ground, on the opposite side of the fire, was something that looked like leaves and seed pods. Following his nose, he started to rummage inside them and found a variety of plants and mushrooms. Some had scales, some were shiny, some were pink and green and even blue. Like most wolves, he was used to eating mainly meat, but would always welcome the opportunity to try something new. To his surprise they tasted incredible! The ones that glowed were especially delicious and he devoured them with such enthusiasm, you would think he had not eaten for months!
When he had scoffed all there was, Wyld sat back, with his little belly all fat and round. He sighed with satisfaction and tried to remember again what had happened to him and how he was here all alone.
Before another thought could enter his head……Grumble…………Grumble.. Grumble…BUUUUUUUUURP!
Oh dear! Wyld thought - his tummy felt very strange indeed. Maybe wolves shouldn’t eat mushrooms after all!
At that moment, he heard light footsteps coming his way. His first instinct was to run, but he felt so peculiar, he couldn’t get up. Then the most beautiful creature he had ever seen came into view. She was unlike anything he had ever imagined. She had purple skin, wings, only had fur on her head and the most beautiful eyes that glowed like jewels. She knelt down in front of him.
Wookid could see her bag and pouches covered in drool; crumbs of mushrooms and herbs were scattered about the forest floor. She grabbed his face, her eyes wide open. ‘Oh no! Tell me you didn’t eat the ingredients I had in here! Please tell me you didn’t eat them?!’ She pleaded in a concerned tone.
As she spoke, he found he could understand her. Wyld went to open his mouth in reply, but instead, belched a luminous beam of purple light straight in her face! He flew through the air, landing on his back. Wookid looked startled – her hair stood on end, like she had been stung by a lightning bee!
‘Well I guess that answers my question’ she said, folding her arms and looking less than pleased. She knew that individually, the plants he had eaten wouldn’t kill him, but eating that many magical varieties at once couldn’t be good for anyone.
Wyld thought she was mad at him because he had eaten all her food, so again he opened his mouth to apologise…
This time a puff of glittery smoke, followed by a flaming blue belch escaped his jaws!
Alarmed, Wyld closed his mouth quickly and put his paw over his muzzle to try and stifle the rainbow coloured storm that was escaping from his tummy. Wookid was now looking on helplessly.
Wait – Oh no! Wyld cringed as he felt the rumbling in his stomach get lower and lower. He closed his eyes, afraid of what was about to happen. The ground literally shook beneath him. Wyld was catapulted into the air as a cloud of green gas, and sparkles escaped from his bottom.
Wookid was staring all the while in disbelief at the extraordinary sight in front of her. She had heard tales of what happens when you mix the wrong ingredients together in a potion – but this was spectacularly wrong!
Wookid watched as the pup descended and landed on a low hanging branch, sagging like a wet leaf. She could see bright colours coursing through his skin and fur as he began to writhe in pain. He fell from the tree and squirmed around on the ground, contorting from the maelstrom that was happening within.
Wyld was terrified. He started panting and whimpered as he felt two sharp pains on the top of his head. He howled as the skin above his shoulder blades tore and something – he couldn’t tell what – emerged from beneath his fur. The pain continued down his spine and through his tail. He felt a tingling as little bits of his fur fell away from his body, revealing shiny scales. He let out a frightened howl, yet through the panic he felt arms folding gently around him and a soft, calming voice saying ‘It’s alright, it’s over now – I’ve got you.’
As the pain subsided, Wyld started to relax. He could feel her arms around him; and a deep connection – a bond like no other that flowed between them. As he turned to look at her, he became overwhelmed and buried his head under her chin, needing to feel safe, needing her protection.
As he did so ‘Oops – be careful with those.’ She said with a slight laugh. Wyld looked at her, confused. She smiled ‘You have horns now you know?’
His face went blank, Horns? What else did he have? He remembered the pain in his back.
‘Maybe you should have a look in the water, you will be able to see your reflection’ she said.
Wyld took a deep breath and walked slowly towards the pool. He was worried about what he would see; would he be frightened of his own reflection?
He walked into the water and looked down. As the surface became still, he could see his new horns – twisted and curly like a mountain ram – but not too scary – he still looked like himself. Then – WHOA! What was that?!?! Wyld stared in total disbelief as two small wings unfurled and stretched out from his body. He was so surprised he nearly fell over! He turned sideways and watched as they opened again and flapped a little. These were not birds wings. More like bats – or maybe – Dragons? He lifted his tail and sure enough there was a small sail, matching his wings, which he could flex to open and close.
There was no doubt he did look very strange – and it would take some getting used to, but as he felt stronger in himself, he became more attuned to the life force in the plants and animals around him and the spirits of the forest, but strongest of all was his connection with his new friend.
He turned towards his companion, who was sat quietly on the bank, watching him and smiling. ‘What am I?’ he said.
‘You – are you’ she replied in a very matter of fact way. ‘What is your name little cub and where are you from?’
He stopped for a moment, his memory still blurry and confused. ‘I can’t remember!’
‘Well’, she said with a broad smile ‘I am Wookid.’
‘Wookid’ he repeated. she nodded.
He stepped out of the water and shook himself dry. He walked over and sat down by her side. Wookid lifted her arm in a silent invitation, and Wyld gladly tucked underneath and snuggled up to her side. He felt strange, but safe as Wookid gently stroked his ears. ‘Wyld! He exclaimed – I think my name is Wyld.’ Wookid gave him a broad grin ‘Well – I think that’s a perfect name for you.’ She pulled him in a little closer and they sat quietly as they watched the warm orange glow of the new dawn rising together.
‘What do we do now’ Wyld asked. ‘Well – we need to visit the Elders and ask about this mark’, Wookid replied, pointing at Wyld’s shoulder.
‘’Oh, ok’ smiled Wyld and wagged his tail happily. ‘Any chance we can get some breakfast first?’
They looked at each other, then collapsed in a heap of hysterical laughter.
This is how the tales and adventures of Wookid & Wyld began.
Comments