Howling Thunder 4: What’s in a Name

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With a sigh I get to my feet, resisting the urge to wince. My everything is sore, bed sounds very nice about now.

Mother has other things in mind as she sets down the black pup and sends him towards the den.

We watch as he shifts into a small black cloud and disappears.

She turns back to us, “Hurry inside, bathe, rest for a little bit then get ready for tonight’s ceremony. Red darling come to my room, Black go to your brother’s.”

As we head into the den I spot Grey near the stables standing next to a brown bear larger than a covered wagon. It’s huge head is maned with darker fur. The fur on its back and forearms are matted and hardened to the appearance of armor plates. The teeth are so large most don’t seem to fit in the mouth.

Walking up to him, “Nice bear brother.”

“Dire Bear.” he corrects.

Red puffs out her nonexistent chest, “Not quite as impressive as my alce however.”

Feeling the pangs of a headache, “Our alce, sister.”

Surprisingly he laughs, “Ya, not bad you two.”

We lightly chuckle, glad that the event is over.

Grey has more than a few scratches in his armor, I can spot the twins napping against each other at the base of the barn. They’re no doubt responsible for the several puncture wounds on the bear’s side from their ice magic.

Noticing my gaze Grey points at the holes, “I should learn magic, my sword couldn’t cut most of the hide. They brought it down while I kept it busy. Then it’s so big we had to make an ice path to slide it home.”

Not helping it I grin, “Guess there’s a bit more to it than sneaking up and being fast huh?”

He raises an eyebrow, shrugs his shoulders and leads the way inside, we pick up the twins on our way.

Hardly a moment later and I’m sitting in the bath large enough to swim in, it is almost too relaxing. The steam rising from the hot water swirls in front of me. Nevermind excitement for receiving a name tonight I actually begin to drift off to sleep.

“Wake up fuzzy.” whispers a sweet female voice.

My eyes bolt open to look around, Mother is busy with preparations and sister left before I dozed off. The voice didn’t belong to either of them and yet it felt familiar.

The steam  swirls as if a wind had somehow managed to reach this deep in the cave and from somewhere I hear a faint laughter echo.

It’s been too long of a day.

Returning to my room I find Grey standing around, he must have got impatient waiting for me.

With a grin I tease, “Hey brother I think you need to try harder at this perfect hunter thing if you can’t even wait up a bit.”

He scowls and jerks his head at the outfit waiting on my bed, “Hurry, I don’t want to look bad for Mother by being late.”

What and I do? “Fair enough.”

The leather jacket is black with a black, rabbit fur collar. A set of black cotton pants and shirt to match as well and a black sash. The whole get up is opposite the white outfit that grey is wearing, except his doesn’t have the right sleeve.

He’s really not the most muscular fellow, “Who are you trying to impress big guy?”

I laugh as he leaves the room without response. I already know he’s trying to look impressive to the twins.

Surely the twin’s Mother dressed them up, now I’m getting excited.

Meeting brother in the hall, we wait outside of Mother’s room. Eventually she and Red step out in matching red, silk kimonos. Mother’s reveals some of her chest and is patterned with white and pink flower petals.

Red’s sleeves end at her elbows and the bottom ends just above her knees. The pattern is of black flowers I don’t recognise, as the candle light catches the dress is almost looks like the flowers shimmer in red flames from the silk. It would be nice if she wasn’t so tall and kept her hair short and layered in spikes.

Red smiles, “Are your tales wagging for me?”

Grey and I, “As if.”

He turns down the hall.

I say as I turn to follow, “I bet the twin’s mother will dress them to compete with sister.”

It isn’t hard to notice as he almost trips, Mother can be heard giggling from behind.

Red pipes up, “I’m obviously going to be the best dressed in the den.”

I let out a fake sigh, “Sister it’s obvious that such dresses aren’t suited to you.”

Mother disagrees, “My darling daughter looks radiant no matter what she’s wearing. I’ll curse any boy who attempts to steal her from me.”

The only one dumb enough to even try to chase the tail of such a barbaric girl is Copper, speaking of.

There he stands next to his mother and Ptah.

While Copper lets his mouth hang open at Red, Ptah pounds the top of his head and says, “Get in the front pups, it is time to start.”

My ear twitches at being called a pup but before I can say anything, something brilliantly white catches my eye.

The twins are in the group of pups, a space separates them from the others who are too nervous to accidentally brush against the perfectly white dresses.

Their white hair is cut very short in the back at the neck but then from the top it makes a curve along the sides coming to a point with the bangs to either side of their face being down past their shoulders. Their bare shoulders, a line of white fur connects the flowing sleeves across the top of their chests to the pure white gown that tightly fits them.

As always the only way someone could tell them apart is by the way one tries to make herself seem smaller so not to stand out while the other is scanning the crowd on her toes without a care. She spots us and pulls her sister along over to us.

She looks at me with a stunning smile, “Glad to see you in one piece Fuzzy.”

Surely I have a stupid grin right now, the shy one is playing with Grey’s hair.

Red growls from behind, “So this is why your tails were wagging.”

I notice Wild’s face blush slightly as she sees that mine certainly still is swishing back and forth.

…..As if I’m ever going to let Grey have her.

Wild doesn’t let it get awkward however and moves to admire sisters kimono.

The lights begin to dim and we straighten up, on either side of me is Red and Wild, opposite her is her sister and then Grey. He takes her arm in his causing her skin to turn pink against her white dress.

Wild sneaks her hand through her own folded arms and pulls me closer to her, she’s trying not to look directly at me as she smiles.

Worried Sister might get angry and possessive like usual, I look at her. To my surprise however, she’s fidgeting and biting her claws.

She whispers to me, “What if I get a stupid name? I’ll lose all respect.”

Oh this is too good, “You’ll be fine. …Maybe.”

She glares daggers, “What if I’m cursed for hitting the other pups?”

With a shrug I tease, “I wouldn’t be surprised, but don’t worry your pretty head, I’ll still let you use my tail as a hug pillow. Unless, you’re stricken ugly and forever flat chested, in such a case please don’t touch me.”

She is slowly becoming a mirror image of mother, a tall, fiery, red beauty fitting a queen.

Wild pinches me and gives me a sheepish grin as if to tell me to stop teasing my sister.

Grey whispers at the surprise of everyone, “Don’t fret sister you are surely already blessed and as Mother has said countless times, you will be father’s pride and joy.”

A hint of jealousy is visible in the shy twin, I imagine Grey has been keeping up the silent act with even them.

Red seems to once more glow with pride and self confidence. I can’t help but wonder if what she said about the gods cursing someone for their behavior might have some merit.

I guess we’re about to find out.

The candles in the room begin to snuff out starting from the front entrance. Slowly the darkness creeps past the gathering of mothers behind us. The great antler chandelier above us goes out.

Small flickers of ghostly white flames appear along the mirrored, curved staircases on either side of the great hall.Two large flames ignite near the center of the balcony.

The fire seems unreal, as if it should make more light than it is or shift in color. Instead the flames remain pure white. Soft crackles of embers can be heard even though nothing is really burning. I can’t smell any wood burning…the fire has to be magic.

These ghostly flames seem to dance around the Inari as she ascends the stairs.

With the fire’s glow as her backdrop, Mother steps forward to the railing holding a white stone. It’s perfectly round and polished to a gloss, it’s size slightly larger than my head.

She calls down, “Before we hear the words of our gods, let us take a moment to pray to them for mercy. May they treat with care the souls of our little ones who did not return from the trial of our pack.”

It dawns on me now that not all the ones who stood in the courtyard yesterday have returned to stand with us tonight.

A couple soft, feminine sobs can be heard before Mother continues, “While the tradition may seem barbaric to some as Terra is idle with peace, never forget the cost at which it came. This is the cost we pay to maintain it. The strength of our people, our great city of Yoden, favored by the gods is what holds back the tide of evil which would see Terra drown in chaos.”

She pauses, waiting for the tears of those lost in grief to stifle.

As silence returns, Mother begins the ceremony, “Let the pups ascend in order of birth. Come and learn what the gods have named you, let them guide you towards glory and prosperity for our Yoden.”

A small flame moves from the staircase and stops in front of an orange furred pup of the fox tribe.

One by one, the embers guide pups up the staircase to have them stand before the stone. after a moment Mother calls down a few words including their new name and the god which granted it. Everyone softly claps and the pup comes back down to join their mother in the crowd.

What does that mean though? Some god has already decided our entire life for us? Am I about to walk up there and be given no choice in my future? Do I have no say, is this all a game to some otherworldly being?

I refuse…

A familiar giggle once more, I look around but no one else seems to have heard it.

The next ember stops before Wild, I can sense her tensing up and hesitate. Something beyond reason compels me, gently, I press her forward from the small of her back. As I watch her nervously climb the stairs she glances back to me.

I smile… She really is pretty…

Then looking at the stone I whisper so quietly no one can hear, “There is no place in any heaven or hell to hide from me should even a god bring harm to my family.”

These words seem strange, just what is heaven or hell… I can see mother staring directly at me as Wild reaches her.

I feel a pulse in my tail, small red sparks flicker in the fur drawing the attention of my sister.

Once more, I smile… can she tell it’s fake?

A quiet laughter whispers in my mind, a woman’s, again familiar.

This laughter…who is it? The same person seems to always be there, haunting me from the shadows. Every now and then I catch glimpses of a black shadow watching me from some random hiding place. It’s been like this as long as I can remember.

Mother from up above, “Let us congratulate Asta, blessed by Vasilisa.”

I clap softly along with everyone else. When Asta returns to my side I can see a slight look of embarrassment in her face as she avoids looking at me while seeming to be resisting the urge to bury her face in her hands.

The shy twin is already moving up the stairs.

Shortly later, “Let us welcome to our family Sassa, likewise blessed by Vasilisa.”

As she joins her sister, I see that she too has a pink tinge to her face. She however, seems to be fighting back an enormous smile. She sneaks a glance at Grey who is now watching an ember approach him.

Somewhere behind me I hear whispering, “Madam Hyndla will be so proud of her granddaughters.”

The woman is talking about Grandmother?

Grey reaches the top of the stairs.

The stone emits it’s eerie white glow, a moment passes. Grey has a complicated expression but still he stands up straight and faces the crowd.

Mother sighs and turns towards us, “Let us …praise, Walther, favored of Vilia.”

The clapping is less enthusiastic this time. the younger folk seem fine, it is the older mothers that seem unsure of what to do.

As Walther begins to descend the stairs I hear the same whispers, “A minor dark god? Really he was such a fine boy…”

The next ember stops before me preventing me from listening more.

As I walk past brother I can see a look of worry on his face, his brow furrowed, eyes lost in the wood floor. I can only pat his shoulder as I walk by. He knows better than to wear such a face in front of the girls.

Nervousness creeps into my chest as I walk up the stairs now. Each step feels heavier than the last. It is as if I can feel every eye in the den on my back.

At the top of the stairs I’m surprised to find Mother smiling wide. The light of the ghost flames can be seen in her eyes. She says nothing, her arms present the stone in front of me.

I can see my reflection in it, pressed back black hair that reaches my shoulders. I have sharp features with my lean build, dark red eyes like my mother and siblings. Red always said I look like the villains in the playroom story books.

The stone pulses suddenly and I feel like something has stolen my ability to move.

The familiar female laugh once more rings in my head, “Ah, finally…My darling pet, I Freki give you the name Nox and deem you the agent of my will, my champion in this world. I’ve granted you my lost bloodline and more. Fear nothing in this world, whatever path you chose, all shall stand aside.”

What about my will?

She laughs like a cute young girl, “Oh relax, I play nice…ish. Anyway now that the important shit is out of the way, obey your mother, she’s a good sport. Have fun with your fiance, she’s smarter than she looks. Oh, and continue to be a good hug pillow for your sister she’ll probably be a great queen one day. That’s all this time. Later Fuzzy, love ya.”

As I stand here, atop the railing, I find myself in a small state of shock.

Mother can hardly hold it in and giggles slightly.

My ear twitches and a rather violent red light pulses through my tail.

She smiles and fearlessly puts a hand on my shoulder, “Let us congratulate Nox, Champion of the Goddess Freki.”

When she announced this, my mood didn’t keep me from noticing a few concerned, almost pained, expressions among the adults while the rest of the pack applauded harmlessly.

Mother then whispers, “Now move along Fuzzy, it’s your sister’s turn.”

I slowly descend the stairs. Passing Walther, Sassa, and Asta, I take my place next to Red just as an ember leads her away.

Asta can tell I’m upset, linking an arm with mine. The momentary distraction allows my tail to deflate from its static charged state and it begins to calmly wag.

Not being able to help it, I grin over to Walther who is attempting to kill me with his eyes.

Sister slightly fumbles on her way up the stairs, the nervousness getting to her. She glances at the crowd but everyone else knows better than to laugh at her. My little sister’s failed attempt at elegance…I chuckle.

Despite the rather… well, whatever message from that goddess Freki, I’m enjoying tonight quite a bit.

My mirth quickly fades when I see the pained look my mother has as sister finishes with the stone.

Mother gives a lovely fake smile and announces… no, commands, “Hail, Akane, future Empress and Chosen of Hoji.”

Again the ignorant applauds and the old cower.

I also notice some confusion in the other pups, in myself as well. What is an empress?

The whispers behind me speak up again, “All three pups blessed by dark gods, surely the Inari is being punished for her pride. This one is hardly a surprise the way she bullied the other pups so much.”

Did this bitch just…

I slowly exhale and whisper to myself, “Stay calm.”

…Stay…Calm…

A flash of red sparks from my tail, “Nope!”

Whipping around violently, I grab the source of that insult to my mother and sister.

My recent growth spurt has put me standing face to face with none other than the instructor, Ragna. With my hand tightly gripped around her neck, I briefly remember the black wolf from this morning.

I can actually smell her fear, it’s in her blue eyes that watch as black fog rolls up my arm. My fingers grow claws that draw blood, another dim flicker of red light from my tail and I swear her grey hair lifts slightly.

Mother calls down from the balcony, “Let her down Nox.”

When did I lift her off the floor?

The Inari speaks in a cold tone, “Ragna, I will not suffer insubordination or insults in my own den. Present yourself in front my study immediately and wait, do not enter.”

After the old hag exits into the hallways the remainder of the ceremony proceeds smoothly. At the end everyone is encouraged to go enjoy the feast in the dining hall.

Walther, Akane and I wait for Mother in the main hall.

She tells us to come up and we follow her to the study. As we exit the hall the ghost lights dim out and the normal candles all relight at once with a small poof.

Ragna is standing outside the office door, clearly nervous the way she shifts her weight from foot to foot and clenching her fists into her grey robe.

Mother opens the door and ushers her in and us as well. She shuts the door behind her then heads over to her private cabinet where her sake is kept.

After sitting down at her desk with a small pitcher she takes a drink and motions Ragna forward.

“I would think by now, Miss Ragna, that you would understand my title of being a Living Goddess was not some fluff or pretty words but an actual fact. As such you should know that your whispered gossiping was heard clearly just as much as if you had yelled it directly into my ears.”

Ragna wipes the sweat of her palms behind her back and starts to mumble, “My apolo-”

Bang!

A cup is slammed against the desk.

“No! I’m tired of your apologies,” Mother stares her in the eyes, “You are lucky I don’t curse you to a year of nightmares let alone agree to you succeeding as head of this den as per Hyndla’s proposal.”

With a stutter, “M-Madem Inari, if I return to Yoden with such shame, Mistress Hynd-”

She stops as Mother stands, “Hyndla will blissfully ignore your plight.”

As the instructor seems to be searching the wood floor for answers to her confusion, Mother sits back down.

“You will depart with the next caravan. Now leave, send up Rota immediately.”

At the mention of the twin’s mother, Rota, Instructor Ragna stands rigid. She stares at mother as if to confirm her thoughts only to receive a cold grin for a response.

She fixes her posture as if to salvage her remaining pride, “As you command Madam Inari.”

Mother closes the door behind the woman and returns to her desk, “Maug, come on out.”

From the shadows at the edge of the fireplace, the black wolf puppy with yellow eyes trots out and jumps into her lap.

He gives an odd cackle, “Hehe, Ulfy would have loved to witness that.”

“And who says I didn’t?” A smooth woman’s voice comes from the couch facing the fireplace.

I lean a bit and see there is a gorgeous woman stretched out where no one was a moment ago.

Her legs are bare all the way to mid way up her thigh, she’s wearing what looks like a black knit dress that tightly hugs her alluringly slim figure and delicately hangs from her pale white shoulders. Her silk black hair lazily covers her neck, bright green eyes wink at me.

A crass bark from the puppy and he jumps over the desk enlarging to a normal sized wolf, “You’ll stop staring at my mate, Fuzzy Toy!”

The woman gets up, she’s a head shorter than me.

Smiling at me, she walks around the couch to pet the upset wolf, “Now now Maugy dear. He’s allowed to look but not touch.”

Maug starts to growl again but Akane cuts him off, scowling at the woman, “Who are you? What do you want with my brother?”

Walther cuts in, “What are you.”

What?

Looking at the woman again, she doesn’t have ears or a tail…ah.

I ask, “A human?”

She frowns, I sense she’s disappointed at my guess. She smells the same as the wolf next to her.

Mother introduces them, “Maug and Ulfa, are both the same as you Nox. Servants to the Goddess Freki, Lycans with black fur. They both have grown up in this world finding it easier to appear as something else. You’ll understand once you study your family’s history at the castle library in Yoden.”

The woman, Ulfa, stands and smirks at Akane, then looks at me, “We are here to instruct our mistress’ champion on many basics related to his bloodline. One of us will remain here in the den at all times until you all depart for Yoden. At that point Maug will escort the caravan while I proceed ahead to The Bastion. Once he reaches the city I will serve as his tutor until it is no longer necessary.”

Akane looks to interrupt once more but Mother cuts her off, “You, my darling daughter, will be too busy studying with me to worry about your brothers, and as Hoji instructed, once we reach Yoden you will be always at your father’s or my side from dawn till dusk. On that note, Walther, you”

A small knock at the door.

Mother calls, “Enter.”

The twins mother, Rota, enters, “You called for me Madam Inari.”

Facing the room, Maug and Ulfa have moved back over to the fire, two black wolves lay on the floor.

Rota only spares a glance before presenting herself in front of the desk.

Mother pours another drink for herself, then another and passes it to Rota, “I hereby name you as successor of the den, however”

She pulls out a letter, “Your first task is to balance learning your new duties while teaching my eldest ice magic. He should have a talent for it in some capacity or another, his grandmother is already looking forward to how much he can learn before he reaches her and your two eldest for further training.”

They drink to her appointment and we are sent off to eat before bed.

Akane absent mindedly follows me to my room only to throw a small fit at the sight of Ulfa stretched out on my bed.

Don’t tell me this tease even plans on staying in my room?!