One after the other, they step into the light where my eyes can see. These kelpies are tall, freakishly tall, and I can tell that by the way they tower over Nathanael. Each of them must be at least 7 feet tall. They have somewhat of a humanoid figure; they stand on two legs just like us and, although clothed, they expose enough skin for me to see that their upper halves are built the way a human male's is. For their lower halves however, I can't tell if they're wearing something black or if they're covered by black fur or hair. The only thing I can clearly tell is that they don't have human feet but… hooves.
"A wolf… Came to join the fun? We don't share with your kind," one of them, the one to the far left, utters. Well, they practically sneered their distaste at Nathanael.
I don't know what I expected their speech to be like, but I am still surprised by how normal they sound. Exactly what I would've thought a young man to sound like. Although, I can tell he has a foreign accent for sure.
Nathanael remains silent. I can't see his expression. Hands behind his back, he's confident in his stance, too confident… Almost like he's challenging them to make a move. By the simple laws of physics that rule our world, at least as far as humanoid creatures are concerned. I would've said that Nathanael doesn't hold a single shot at standing against even one of them. But perhaps… Bigger and more muscular doesn't always mean stronger in their world… Nathanael did mention a food chain earlier. It must be that.
One of two kelpies standing at the center interjects, but not before staring Nathanael down in a rich and condescending manner, "Slow your roll, Morag. This isn't just any wolf…," it seems to be a lot calmer and definitely more mature than the previous speaker, like it's taking the time to better consider their options in the scenario. It spoke with a voice that I would attribute to an older, wiser woman; even though this creature looks nothing like an old woman, "He's one from high society… A whitemane," it adds.
Scottish! Yes their accent is Scottish.
"All the more reason to rip his head off. I consider this fate," the so-called Morag speaks again, seemingly ready to pounce.
"I said stop!" it shrieks at Morag, forcing me to clasp my hands hard against my ears.
"You are right. It is fate. But not in the way you imagine," says Nathanael in the coldest, driest tone I've ever heard him use. He doesn't move a muscle.
"Lochy, I believe we do have a chance at besting him. He's alone," a third one from the group shares its thoughts. This one sounds more like a younger woman, despite its unmatching body, again.
From the way it turned to look at them before addressing them, I can only assume that this Lochy, the one that shrieked at Morag to stop, is the leader of their little group.
"Hush now, you know that doesn't matter with these high class wolves. They can always rely on their witch servants to help. For all we know, there can be dozens of them around us right now. We just can't know it,"
The statement of this fourth kelpie opened route to a flood of new questions in my mind. What did they exactly mean by witch servants? Can high society wolves be the only ones to call upon witches for their help? What are high class wolves anyways?
Whatever the answers to those may be, I know I won't get them right this moment. The quietude that fell between them all of the sudden did no good to my nerves. It only further cemented the unshakable angst in my depths and my desire to wrap my hands around my eyes.
The only thing disrupting the unbearable silence is the sound of the grass and trees singing along to the winds. Winds that, by the same occasion, blow the kelpies' long, silky, black hair out of its place, just enough to reveal more of their faces. Even though the moonlight isn't as strong as I want it to be, I can discern about them more than I was able to before, and exactly as I thought before, they all seem to share masculine features more than anything else. Their well-constructed bone structure, their mesmerizing eyes that I fail to distinguish the colors of.
I also still fail to determine their genders. If such a concept applies to them at all…
My attention is whisked away from their hypnotizing looks when Kevin's whimpers reach my ears. I'd completely forgotten his presence in this scene. Lying there, in the middle of the half circle that the Kelpies had formed around him and Nathanael standing behind him, shakily flipping his head back and forth between all of them.
"You are the first born to the alpha Erolina, aren't you?" Lochy completely ignores the previous words of its friends and focuses on Nathanael instead.
"As a matter of fact, I am. Do you know her personally?" Nathanael's tone remains consistent. Void of any cracks or doubts. He definitely believes in every word he's uttering.
I come to understand more why the wolves had obeyed him on the rooftop yesterday. Although Nathanael is only the first born of this alpha Erolina, it must still count… That title must still hold a certain amount of weight in their world. If they follow a hierarchy based on this… Food chain.
But what decides the order of these creatures on this chain, though?
"I know of her," Lochy pauses, before adding, "But then again, who doesn't?"
"Alpha Erolina? That means that we can't let him live. He saw us, he knows who we are. You know they're not forgiving," The kelpie that had suggested that they could take him in a fight earlier, speaks again.
They seem to be conflicted by the facts they just stated, with the exception of Lochy, of course, who doesn't show the tiniest bit of worry.
From where I stand, I can see Nathanael's grip slightly tighten around his own left hand. Beside his back, that's all Im able to see of him.
"What your friend said before is correct. The six of you can in fact take me in a fight. However…," Nathanael trails off for a moment, "I believe you know that there is no way for all of you to come out of it alive. I will take, at the very least, three of you with me as I go down and only I can choose which of you I start with, so…," he trails off again, dragging the suspense along, "Do you accept these terms? Are you ready to sacrifice three members of your family to satisfy some futile, centuries old grudges? Knowing full well that the rest of you won't survive much longer after that,"
So, they're a family… That fact seems to matter… More or less… He did tell me earlier that they only travel in groups, so they must not be this strong compared to other creatures out there.
My focus falls on Nathanael once more. His words were very much a clear warning and a threat but… He sounded like he was giving them the available options on a restaurant menu. What I wouldn't give to see his expression right now. But most of all, I am dying to know if what he said is true; can they truly kill him? Can he truly kill at least three of them? Are they truly going to fight now?
"It's not about any silly grudge anymore but… A future alpha that bargains with his enemies instead of fighting… Now that's new," for once, Morag does not sound like he is about to leap out of his place.
It seems that with each answer comes a myriad of new questions. But I soothe my curiosity by making my own conclusions based on the information I've gathered from them up until now. The first thing I am willing to bet on is the idea that the first born of an alpha is a direct candidate for their succession.
"I prefer my hands to remain clean when I can afford to keep them that way. Besides, you are not my enemies… Yet," Nathanael's answer goes straight to the point.
"No, indeed. No harm has been done yet. Good point. But the fact remains… You've seen us and the laws are clear, so… It appears we have a conundrum," says Lochy, the same amused look on them.
"We do not. You came to this town in order to attend the ceremony for the election, as per tradition. Did you not?"
"Why, yes?" Locky asks curiously.
"I haven't really seen you commit a crime yet. Therefore, I have nothing to report about you yet, as long as I never see you again that is…,"
I have the inkling that I am missing a few pieces, and only once I get my hands on them will I understand the decisions Nathanael is making here as well as his choice of words.
"I see… I understand," Lochy looks skeptical of Nathanael's words for a moment but then relents, "Well, then we won't take more of your time. We'll be taking our leave now, children,"
As I thought before, this Locky seems to be the oldest and wisest of their bunch, considering they all seem to wait for Lochy's approval to make any move but mainly the way four of them just turned around and disappeared out of view when Locky told them to.
Morag seems to be of the defying type however. He stands there for a good while after the others have already left, for no other purpose other than to glare at Nathanael some more. Apparently, debating on whether to comply or not.
"Morag…," Lochy warns him.
Eventually, Morag chose to follow his… brethren… And thus, Locky is the last one to remain, facing Nathanael.
After a while, the kelpie decides to speak again. Only this time, Locky isn't addressing Nathanael but Kevin, who hadn't moved at all since earlier, "You must forgive us young man… Just know that it is never really personal with our kind but… Hunting is in our blood, that is all," Locky begins to turn around before stopping mid turn to look at Nathanael one more time, "I must say, for three hundred years ambling this god forsaken earth, never have I lived with the hopes to see any change befall our... Society. Well, I did once upon a time but…," Locky chuckled, "It could have never lasted. For so long, I missed that feeling. I know I am not supposed to, but I feel I should hope to hear good news about you very soon,"
And with those mysterious words, Locky too, vanished into the darkness that lurked behind them. Leaving Nathanael alone with Kevin under the grace of the moonlight.