Brother Wolf

The walled city of Castabela loomed over an arid plain. Little could approach without being seen, but in the last hundred years or so, that city had been at peace with its neighbors and the gate was always open to travellers.1

For the people of Castabela, isolated as they were with the sea at their backs and desolation at the gate, regarded any diversion as a welcome change from a humdrum existence. 2

Once a year the faint sound of drums and flutes heralded the arrival of the circus from the inland, their bright caravans drawn by horses with fantastically colored feathers bobbing on their harness. The circus people in their brilliantly striped and patterned silks brought with them the excitement of a world beyond the desert, at the time of the Seven Empires of Man and Beast.3

As they cartwheeled through the gate, or balanced on silver globes, the children ran down to meet them, jumping on the caravan steps to be thrust off again by irate women.4

A scream greeted the cage that trundled through the gate, with a black she wolf pacing inside an iron cage. Her red eyes glowed as she gazed out upon the throng staring at her with open mouths.5

She was no ordinary wolf – she was one of the proud beasts of the Second Empire, and no one knew why she chose to travel this way, in an iron cage with the circus people.6

Many of the city folk knew the circus visitors well, for they came every year at the same time, as long as even the oldest could remember.7

``There is Rolfe, and his sister Morwenna,” the buzz went along the crowd, as two splendidly dressed youngsters came through on white horses. They bowed and waved to the crowd like a King and Queen. The city folk had seen this prideful pair grow from babyhood to performers. Castabela almost felt a proprietory pride in these two youngsters, for the twins had been born there, sixteen years before.8

Their mother had been a wire walker. Though heavily pregnant, she had still danced across the wire that night, but had slipped and fallen into the dusty ring. The local doctor could not save her but he brought the twins safely into the world. They were raised by an old traveler woman called Mama Mattea, who spoiled them. They did little work, except in the circus ring, and they only worked together. They were very alike, with the same topaz eyes and fearless character.9

It was said that when they were very young, Mama Mattea placed their heads together so that the soft skulls flattened out. Because of this, they became the most famous head to head balancers in the Seven Empires, their smooth flat heads fitting together perfectly, Rolfe bearing the weight, and Morwenna balanced on top.10

This year, as they rode through the streets of the city, there was talk that they had devised a new act. Rolfe had reclaimed his mother’s old tightwire, and he walked across it with Morwenna balanced on his head.11

But that was not the only excitement – it was also said that the she wolf was bearing a cub, and was near her time. Perhaps another famous birth may take place in Castabela.12

The first performance took place in the city square, under the night sky. Blazing torches illuminated the ring that had been laid out there. Strange apparatus had sprung up around and over the ring, and a garish curtain hid the performers from the public view.13

When Rolfe and Morwenna made their entrance, a huge cheer erupted from the crowd. Rolfe caught his sister round the waist and vaulted her up onto his head. There she remained throughout the entire act, like a flame on a candle.14

When they walked the wire, the crowd cheered lustily. Then finally, they broke apart and took their bows.15

Rising from his deep bow, Rolfe’s glance fell on a girl seated at the front of the crowd. She gazed at him with huge dark eyes. She threw a bunch of wildflowers at him, and he caught them easily. He blew her a kiss in return. Pretty girls were his weakness, and he accepted their adoration as no more than his due. But Morwenna shunned the favors of young men who vied for her attention. It was the only way in which they differed.16

After the show, Rolfe hung the flowers over the door of his caravan. Mama Mattea was cooking a stew in the huge cauldron suspended over an open fire, and the fragrant aroma drifted round the square. The she wolf watched with red eyes, waiting for her portion. Everyone in the circus lined up with a tin plate and mug, which she filled with stew and a slug of wine from a skin hanging nearby.17

Then they gathered together to laugh and talk into the night until the fire went out and they all drifted back to their caravans.18

Mama Mattea said goodnight to the she wolf and walked back to the caravan she shared with Morwenna.19

``I think she will have her cub very soon,” she said to Morwenna.20

The circus folk closed their doors and slept, but one door remained open, and soon a slight figure wrapped in a cloak flitted across the square and sprang up the steps of Rolfe’s caravan.
It was the custom of the circus to stay until the full moon. Every night they played to an enthusiastic crowd, and every night, a dark eyed girl watched the show and threw wildflowers to Rolfe.21

On the last night there was also a man with burning eyes, who stood at the back of the crowd and watched her get to her feet and blow kisses to Rolfe. But none observed him as he curled his hands into fists and cursed the young traveler under his breath.22

The travelers celebrated their last night in Castabela with a huge party, to which all the city folk were invited. The revels went into the night but eventually even the last reluctant reveler drifted away and silence fell on the square.23

And then, once more, a small figure ran across to Rolfe’s caravan and up the stairs. But this time she was followed by a dark shadow that moved slowly, and with evil intent.24

Morwenna slept fitfully, and was woken before dawn by the howling of a wolf.25

``Mama Mattea,” she whispered. ``I can hear Sheba.”26

``It must be her time,” Mattea said. ``Get dressed, I’ll need your help.”27

But as both women stepped out of the caravan they saw it was not the time of birthing that had roused the she wolf. Rolfe’s caravan was ablaze.28

In a few moments the whole camp was awake, and a chain had formed to the well, with buckets of water being passed from hand to hand. But though they worked feverishly, they could not put out the fire. The caravan stood on its charred iron wheels, a blackened ruin from which came the pervasive odor of burning flesh.29

Rolfe’s remains were wrapped in cloth and taken to the sea, as was the custom with the circus folk. The girl whose charred form still lay in his arms was given to her grieving family.30

That night the she wolf howled again, but this time she pushed her single cub into the world, aided by Mama Mattea and by Morwenna, whose eyes were almost as red as the she wolf from crying.31

``He is sickly,” Mama Mattea said.32

``I will stay with them,” Morwenna said listlessly. She lay down in the clean straw and placed her arm around the she wolf. Together they watched over the cub until finally it fastened its small jaws upon its mother’s teat.33

The sun was rising over the city walls when Morwenna woke. She found the cub had crawled in under her arm, so that it slept between her and Sheba.34

``Hello, Brother Wolf,” she whispered.35

The cub opened his eyes and gazed at her. His eyes were topaz. Morwenna reached out to stroke his mother, but her fingers found only stiffened fur and flesh.36

This second tragedy left the city folk wondering if they would ever see the circus again. But the year rolled round, and once more they heard the sound of flute and drum approaching the gate.37

A new couple rode the white horses, tall and fair with sea green eyes – acrobats from Atlantis, who had gained fame in the bullrings.38

This pair dazzled the crowd, so much that they barely noticed Morwenna enter the gate. She was not alone. Beside her strode the she wolf’s cub, now almost full grown, a black and rangy beast with blood in his eyes. But there was no iron cage, no she wolf, to follow.39

Though there was great excitement over the couple from Atlantis, and many more new acts to marvel at, it was the act with Morwenna and the black wolf that people were really curious to see.40

The pair were introduced as Brother Wolf and Morwenna, and they strode into the ring with all that old inbred pride that the city folk remembered from years past when Morwenna had performed with her twin.41

But this act was very different. Morwenna, resplendent in a blood red cloak and gown, directed the wolf to prove their psychic abilities and seek, in the audience, the person she was thinking of. Amazingly, the wolf never failed, and Morwenna proved to have uncanny knowledge of the secrets hidden in every heart.42

``Find me the woman who prayed for a child, made an offer to the Gods and now quickens with new life,” she commanded the wolf.43

The audience was hushed as the great beast roamed between the seats and stopped by a woman, laying a paw on her lap.44

The woman gasped, and her hand flew to her throat.45

``Why it’s true!” She exclaimed. `I just found out this morning I am with child – and I told no one!”46

``Clearly the Gods were pleased with your offering,” Morwenna smiled. ``But your cat misses her kittens.”47

The woman blushed red. ``The offering has to be new born,” she mumbled.48

``Those lives will be replaced,” Morwenna said, ``for you also shall bear a litter of five.”49

The woman cried out in alarm and the rest of the audience laughed. Brother Wolf bared his teeth at the woman and strolled back to the circus ring.50

``Now find me the man who loves a good woman but is too shy to speak his love aloud,” Morwenna said. ``Then find me the woman he loves.”51

The wolf sought amongst the people and found the baker’s assistant young and tongue tied, twisting his cap in his hands. When the wolf moved on and placed his paw in the lap of the baker’s daughter, the crowd erupted into laughter and cheers. Blushing furiously, the young lovers avoided each other’s eyes, but both smiled and patted the wolf.52

The act was tremendous success – no one wanted them to leave the ring, but finally Morwenna gave her last command.53

``Find me the one who keeps a dark secret from his fellows,” she said. 54

The crowd shifted uneasily. Brother Wolf’s eyes blazed darkly golden as he sought through them. There seemed no light hearted fun behind his purpose now, as he gazed long and deep into the eyes of every man there. 55

In the high seats, deep in the shadows, a man sat watching warily as the wolf approached. When the golden eyes blazed into his, he looked away. But the wolf did not lay a paw upon him – he bounded away, back to the ring to stand beside Morwenna, whose laughter rang out.56

``My Brother Wolf tells me there is not a man here who can meet his eyes,” she cried.57

The crowd once more erupted with laughter and applause.58

Mamma Mattea was waiting for them as they passed through the curtains that shrouded the performers from the audience. The old woman kissed Morwenna and caressed the wolf’s head.59

``Did you mark him?” she asked.60

``He was here,” Morwenna murmured. 61

Morwenna no longer shared Mamma Mattea’s caravan. The circus folk had built her one of her own, a strange looking wagon with two doors set into the side. One door led to her own quarters, which were very simple, consisting of a bed and a chest for her clothing. The other door led into a large straw filled room where Brother Wolf slept.62

But all three ate together from the communal cauldron of stew, and joined in the talk and singing around d the campfire until the stars rode high and one by one, the circus folk drifted off to bed.63

Only Morwenna did not sleep. Her eyes staring into the darkness as she crouched beside Brother Wolf in the straw. When she saw his ears flatten and his teeth bared in a growl, she crept to the door that she had left slightly ajar and peered through the crack. She saw a dark fire moving across the square, pausing only to grab a burning log from the campfire.64

``He comes,” she whispered.65

Brother Wolf moved to the door. As the dark figure, still clasping the burning log, came toward the caravan, Morwenna violently flung the door open and Brother Wolf leapt out.66

The man screamed in fear as he was borne to the ground, pinned beneath the paws of the black beast. The log rolled harmlessly away, and caravan doors opened, sleepy heads peering out into the night.67

Beneath the jaws of Brother Wolf, the man gazed up at Morwenna.68

``So,” she said, ``you are the one who hides a dark secret in his heart.”69

The rest of the troupe came running, to gather about Morwenna and the wolf. There were sounds from the houses nearby, as townspeople also came out to investigate the screams they had heard.70

``This is the man who killed my brother Rolfe and the young girl who loved him,” Morwenna shouted in a carrying voice. ``Brother Wolf marked him tonight and he came here again to kill both of us.”71

``Why, it's Kern Vord, the Officer of the Watch," an onlooker marvelled. A murmur went through the crowd.72

``She was mine," the man hissed, his eyes wide with terror as he saw the sharp wolf's teeth inches from his face. ``She was promised to me - your brother would only have cast her aside and moved on." The wolf's teeth fastened on his neck, just holding the flesh.73

``No, brother," Morwenna said softly. ``Let there be no more murder."74

The crowds watched in silent horror as the wolf held the man's life in its jaws. Morwenna said no more, but watched in silence. The wolf's eyes sparked fire, and Kern Vord moaned in despair.75

Then the wolf shook the man, gently in his teeth as if he were a rabbit, and released him. Kern Vord scrambled away, sobbing, as Brother Wolf padded silently back to Morwenna's side.76

``Good people of Castabela," Morwenna said. ````This creature before you has confessed to the murder of my brother and your daughter and sister. Do what you will with him."77

Kern Vord was dragged away. Slowly the townspeople went back to their homes, the travellers to their caravans. As sun rose over the bleak plains, the caravans creaked slowly through the city gates, on their way to the next city.78

But this time, instead of the cries of the crowds of children that usually followed, begging them to return next year, the only sound that accompanied the travellers was the creak of a gibbet, hanging from the city walls, and the only one that watched them go was Kern Vord through sightless eyes.79

End80

Character notes81

Name: Morwenna82

Gender: female83

Age: early 20s by our reckoning84

Origin: Born in a caravan, one of the travelling circus people of the Seven Empires. The Seven Empires are plants, animals, man, oceania, the sky, the delvings (underground) and Atlantis.85

Birthplace: Somewhere on the road86

Clothing: Loose, comfortable, colorful87

Personality: Morwenna is the twin of Rolfe. Both are strange, even for Third Empire circus people, they have a deep bond and a telepathic connection. When Rolfe dies, his spirit passes into a new born wolf, so he and Morwenna will not be separated.88

Romances or Lovers: None as yet, although Rolfe enjoyed the company of many lovers, Morwenna is more reticent.