-Bastian-
Ever since I first stepped foot in this forest, it's been a prison of ice and snow.
I've been monitoring the parameters of this patch of forest for about an hour, and nothing to show it yet. Winter is harsh on everyone, animals especially, but not because of the weather. Monsters are attracted to the cold, to the darkness, and Attinian happens to be their perfect breeding ground.
I could smell the scent of a female doe close by. It was pungent enough for me to assume that she wasn't alone. I looked around and saw a tuff of fir that had been snagged on the side of an ironwood branch. There is no food here, they must have gone up north, towards the castle.
"Master."
I turned my head and saw Dog running up from behind me in the snow. His tongue out, panting desperately for air, he wagged his tail while telling me the news.
"They went to the south of the lake's beach." the wolf said. "There are three females, a baby, and a male."
South of the lake's beach is a good distance from where I am... seems like I'll be late home tonight. No matter.
I looked down to my hunting aide and nodded. "Take me to them."
As I walked through the thick snow, my boots crunching the thick snow below them, my ears began to itch. They're telling me that it's about to turn nightfall, that I'd better find somewhere to rest before the transformation occurs.
The dreaded transformation... this frightful curse... all punishments for a crime that I didn't even commit. The mark of my parent's mistake, and my burden to bear.
This cold, desolate plain of eternal frost and snow suits me. The solitude is only a perk, and my castle is yet another reminded of my lineage. I would have gotten rid of it if it weren't for those who rely on its warmth.
After an hour of walking, I finally stood still when I saw the large herd of majestic beasts licking the smallest spring of water running from the hot springs in the mountains. Beasts are only meant to be hunted and killed, they themselves know that. To me, it's all the same. Beasts, monsters, even humans. Those who trespass on my territory have decided to face death head on... and if they are lucky enough, I'll be the one delivering that fate and not the sheer cold.
With a single snap of my bow, an arrow pierced through the sky, and another one. Not before long, I began walking home with two deer thrown over my shoulder. I decided to spare the male and the mother, the child as well. I have no need for that much meat, my hunters have most likely brought home a feast fit for a king.
This is an escape, nothing more.
As I walk through the courtyard, I immediately turn my head towards the windows looking into the crash hall only to see my men enjoying a party inside, drinking away at booze and eating away like they've been starved. As always, that is an atmosphere that I've never belonged in.
Suddenly, something shifts in the back view. Someone bright, someone different. Someone born to be the centre of attention, someone who's smile could warm up the coldest of hearts. I observed her for a little longer, her smile somehow captivating me to a standstill. When she laughed, the men surrounding her laughed as well, and when she gestured with her hands, everyone's eyes followed them.
"Master?" Dog yelped, sitting next to me, his head tilted. "Why do you smell sad?"
Sad? "Nonsense. Come on, go have Uriel get you a bone from the feast. I'm sure that hey have a few to spare."
The wolf stared at me one more time before running off. He's a smart dog, he knows when he is needed and when he is alright to leave.
I can feel my ears twitching again, it's getting worse. The transformation is going to happen in the next hour, I'd better get up to my quarters before it starts. The last time, I hardly made it and as a result, things weren't pretty. I'll ask Uriel to brief me tomorrow on what happened today.
I set the animals down outside of the kitchen door and slowly made my way to my bed chambers as the tingling in my ears got more intense. No... just a little bit longer. I still need to write those reports to hand out tomorrow... and overview the proposal about making a new outhouse to accommodate more families...
Feeling myself grow weak, my heart beating faster and faster out of my chest while I pressed my hand against it. Trying to filter out the loud sound of my heartbeat, I slowly managed to drag myself to the room to my room before slamming it shut, locking it up before throwing myself onto my bed.
Moonlight pierced through my curtains, and I could slowly see my form change. I didn't have time to remove my gloves, and as a result, claws began ripping through the fabric before shredding to pieces. I snarled, holding my neck all while my back arched in pain, my eyes burning like someone had replaced two suns into the sockets.
Perpetual agony, ephemeral factors out of my control, I can't bear it. I can't deal with it anymore. Every single night, I'm forced to change into this monstrous form every evening as the sun sets and the moon rises.
I'm done hoping for change. I've given up trying to find a way to stop this. This is my life now, whether I like it or not, and some wishful thoughts and prayers won't change that. After all, what has been done isn't so easily undone.
-End of Chapter 7-
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