We Go to Fellfang (DotW)

Featuring as Polaris, and as Fable and Lore

Lore had heard that the war between Aryn and Blutwald had concluded, but the irony stench of drying wolf blood still clung to the air. She walked low to the ground, her yellow eyes flashing bright under the shadows of the canopy. She often traveled these woods, but she feared she may have returned too soon… the signs of battle still remained. All was still, however, and all was quiet. The best she could tell, the battle was recent, but finally over.

Fable’s head shot up, and his hackles raised instinctively. He was on high alert after all that had happened, and the sound of slinking paws in the forest around them made him jolt to attention.

”Do you hear that, Polaris?” He breathed, voice tense.

Lore stopped in her tracks at the sound of Fable’s voice, ears flicking to the side nervously. More wolves? How could he not have heard them? She mentally kicked herself for her failure to observe them, her jaw clenched as she finally rested her eyes on the shapes of two wolves in the distance, thinly veiled by sparse sheets of undergrowth. Her breath quavered in her chest, as a lone wolf, she was all too sensitive to the advantage two wolves have over one. A war zone was the last place she wanted to be found in by potential hostiles.

Fable’s eyes scanned the trees, seeing nothing at first. A deathly silence fell over the area, as all three wolves went quiet. Finally, Fable caught the glint of a pair of bright yellow eyes through the shrubs to their right.

She was spotted, she could tell. A wild, bone-chilling snarl rumbled from her throat. The thick ruff around her neck puffed outwards to extend her already considerable size. She stood upright, revealing herself from underneath the foliage. When she saw the wolves clearly for the first time, her snarl momentarily faltered.

"...Fable?" Lore murmured.

It couldn’t be. Fable was dead, he had to be. She was seeing a ghost in this wolf’s face, for it simply couldn’t be him. Her long lost brother.

Startled and confused, instead of facing off the two wolves like she had intended, she ceased to bare her teeth, skittering backwards for a moment before bolting to the left in front of them, fleeing for familiar territory.

As the fuming, feral figure had emerged from the forest, looking like some primordial forest spirit, Fable prepared for the worst. He pushed gently in front of Polaris, readying to take the brunt of this wolf’s fury. The last thing he could have possibly imagined was that the wild she wolf would utter his name. His hackles lowered confusedly, his head lifted quizzically from his defensive position. He opened his mouth to speak to the wolf, but she suddenly shot off to flee to their left.

He looked back at Polaris, ”She said my name, she knows me somehow.”

He then turned back to the dark-pelted wolf vanishing into the trees, his blood beginning to race.

”WAIT!”

He launched into a gravity-defying sprint, seeming to fly over the low undergrowth of the forest. He had to catch this wolf. This is the first wolf since the mysterious scarred stranger that seemed to know him from before his memory failed. She could know who he is, where he came from, and if he really did do all that the other wolf had alleged he had done. Who were these wolves? And why were they so afraid?

Polaris had curled her body up into a tight ball, her snout stuffed into the thick fur at Fable’s side. The conflict had finally died down and after several agonizing hours her body relented and she was finally able to surrender to sleep, if only for a few hours. It was not the deep rest she longed for. Instead, she drifted into her subconscious, a place where monstrous beasts with piercing red eyes snapped at her hide…

Fable’s voice awakened her and she sat up startled. They had both been on edge, even more so than usual. The end of the war brought change. Blutwald had dispersed, the only home she had ever known was destroyed. It was a sort of empty feeling. She had lived away from home for so long, but knowing Blutwald was thriving gave peace of mind. Now her family had dwindled away, and they were all forced to decide what direction was meant for them. She wanted them to stay together always, but she knew these were juvenile dreams. She was a different wolf now than the one that had left home a year ago. Her sisters had changed, too, and as much as it pained her, she knew they needed to figure out for themselves where their home was. Polaris rose, coming to stand beside Fable. She knew where she belonged.

Her attention was drawn to the woods when approaching footfalls betrayed an intruder. Her fur rose involuntarily and she kept her head low, waiting for the new comer to fall into sight. A leggy female, wide eyed and feral, stepped out of the brush, her golden gaze locking on Fable. Polaris exposed her fangs, a soft growl vibrating in her chest.

Then Fable’s name fell from the female’s lips and her head jerked back in surprise. Her gaze darted to Fable who stared back at the newcomer in confusion. He didn’t know her, or maybe he did, he just could not remember. Suddenly the female’s uncertainty turned to alarm. Polaris looked at her companion. She trusted Fable, wholeheartedly, with her life. But how well did she really know him?

“Someone is looking to harm me for something I don’t remember doing…”  Polaris' ears fell back on her head. This wolf, whoever she was, knew something. She had the vital information that they needed. Whether or not Fable was a saint or a sinner, he deserved to know the truth.

Without warning, the female bolted back the way she came, triggering Fable into action. Polaris leapt after him and the pair wove their way in between the trees, following at the female’s hocks.

As they ran up alongside the loner, Polaris stole side glances at her frantic face. “Stop!” She urged desperately, but her words were futile. It was clear the female had no intention of speaking with them. Polaris grunted in frustration. She and Fable had been searching for answers for months, and this was the first lead they had in figuring out his past. They couldn't let her get away. Leaning forward, Polaris streamlined her body then pivoted on her paws, darting out in front of the loner. In one swift movement she ducked down and braced her body for the collision. The unexpected maneuver sent the female send toppling over her body and into the brush below. Before she had the opportunity to rise, Polaris placed a firm paw on her chest, and took a moment to catch her breath.  “No harm will come to you.” Her words were breathy between heavy pants. “We’re just looking for some answers. Please, listen to what Fable has to say, then you can be on your way. You have my word.” Polaris knew her promise to a strange wolf held little to no value, but it was all she had to barter with, and the situation made her desperate. She could only hope the female read the sincerity in her eyes and the urgency in her tone. Slowly, Polaris eased off her and took a few paces back, putting ample distance between them. If she had learned anything about lone wolves it was that they didn't like feeling cornered. Polaris averted her gaze so she didn’t feel threatened. She kept her posture low and looked at Fable with a grave expression. She was scared for her friend, but it was time to face the truth.

Lore ran at her top speed, but her desperation sent her paws scrambling under her as she slipped carelessly over the rough terrain, bogging down her normally lightning quickness. The light-pelted female slipped past her, pivoting into her flight path before she had a chance to react. Her legs were swept from under her, sending her toppling over the stranger, an involuntary whine escaped her as she skidded a short ways before landing on her back. The breath was forced from her lungs, she lay dazed for a moment and before she could move, the young female had pinned her down. She began a rattling snarl, but fell quiet when she began to speak. Something about her sincerity made her pause to listen. Fable. She said Fable.

The young stranger released her, and Lore quickly scrambled to her feet, inhaling raspy gulps of air as she recovered her breath. Her wild eyes flicked from the female, to the tall male, and back. Could it be?

After a long pause, she breathed, a faint accent on her tongue, “Fable. Can that really be you? No, it can’t be.”

Fable had come to a halt beside Polaris as she stepped back. He glanced over to her meaningfully for a moment- she must have so many questions, and he could do nothing to relieve them, for they were equally a mystery to himself. When the wild wolf spoke, he turned back around.

He replied breathlessly, stepping forward toward the stranger, ”Fable IS my name. How can you know that? Do you know who I am?”

In his voice was the pain of a million unanswered questions, and the terror of not even knowing oneself. Lore stepped forward timidly, breathing in Fable’s scent, her eyes never leaving his for a second. His scent had changed slightly in the years since she had seen him, and though his face looked young- his eyes aged him by years… but it was him. Wordlessly and without warning, she rushed forward, falling into Fable’s shoulder and wrapping her neck around his in a close embrace. Fable’s back legs buckled as he stepped back in sheer surprise. He breathed in sharply and then froze, as if transformed into stone as the female curled around him. His eyes flicked towards Polaris pleadingly, communicating perfectly that he had absolutely no idea what was going on without a single word.

Lore drew back, clearly overcome by emotions that Fable did not understand, ”When no one ever saw you again, I thought you were dead. Everyone did. We thought there was no way for you to survive on your own the way… the way you are.” She paused and realized that there wasn’t even a flicker of recognition in Fable’s face. ”Fable. I’m Lore, your half-sister. You really don’t remember me at all, do you…”

Fable was struck dumb, tears were beginning to trickle down the side of his face, but he didn’t feel them.

Lore knew about Fable’s condition, and as a healer for their old pack, had treated him for his memory loss before. However, she had no idea as to the extent of it this time around.

”What do you remember, brother?”

Fable’s mind was reeling. Not only did this wolf know about his past… but she was his sister? He stood with his mouth agape, he just couldn’t quite believe that after all his searching… he could finally get answers.

He shook himself back to the moment, replying in a halting tone, ”Lore? I… I don’t remember you, I’m sorry.” Her calm expression implied that she was not surprised, as if she knew about his memory… so he continued. ”I don’t remember anything before about two years ago… Everything before is just a blank.”

”Do you still see flashes of memories when you’re stressed?” Lore asked, in full healer-mode.

Fable was flabbergasted at how much she seemed to know, ”Yes, very little that tells me anything. I’ve pieced together that I… I suppose we, have a brother? I think his name is Story. I was told by someone from our birth pack that I may have…” he faltered, “done something terrible, and that someone is after me for it. That’s all I know about anything before my memory fails.”

”It seems like I have a lot to catch you up on.”

Polaris watched anxiously as the female gathered herself around Fable in an embrace. The stranger looked relieved, but Polaris was not so trusting. Her white-tipped tail whipped back and forth in agitation behind her, and she studied the female with watchful eyes.

She remembered Fable’s words, “someone is looking to harm me…”. Was this wolf that someone? Polaris had to believe that the female meant well, that her actions weren’t a choreographed part of some play to trap Fable. Mentally, she forced herself to stay calm. Physically, she prepared for the worst, her body remaining tense as the pair parted. She lingered a few paces behind Fable, listening to the female with skeptical blinders.

“The way you are…” So the female knew of Fable’s condition. Half of her felt reassured. Whoever this wolf was, she had known Fable well enough for him to divulge his secret to. Maybe she had even experienced it with her own eyes.

The other part of her felt such heavy shame that it cut down past her bones and into her heart. Polaris had been sheltered by her family. They didn’t want her to feel embarrassed, so they had helped to conceal her rage from the pack. Hearing a stranger talk of their ailment was uncomfortable. Worse yet, an entire pack of wolves doubted Fable could learn to live with such an affliction. They believe he had died. As confident as she tried to remain, she couldn’t help but feel powerless. Would they always be slaves to their illness? Would they never amount to more than self-destructive brutes in the eyes of their peers?

Then the female, Lore she was called, named herself Fable’s own sister. Polaris blinked in astonishment and eased her stance. Suddenly the similarities between the two were impossible to ignore: the same dark coats, large yet lithe builds, graceful legs with modest posture… the pair were unmistakably related, even if they were only half-siblings.

Polaris watched the pair carefully, her eyes shifting from face to face as they spoke. Lore had answers, she had come from Fable’s birth pack. But Polaris had to wonder why she left. Was she cast out, or did she leave on her own accord? And where did Story, Fable’s brother, come into play? He must be important, enough for Fable to remember his name above all others. Polaris wanted to interject, to ask Lore what happened to Fable, why he had recurring flashes that seemed to trigger his memory. But for now she remained quiet and unassuming, meticulously watching the exchange.

Fable strained his mind backwards, trying to recall Lore’s face as she spoke. No memories came, but he could swear that the sound of her name felt familiar in his mouth, though he couldn’t say why. He felt his legs begin to shake as the prospect of learning about his past fully washed over him.

He nodded to Lore, ”Please, tell me everything.”

He didn’t know if he was going to like what he heard, but he needed to hear it. But his whole existence was informed by not knowing what happened before it, so what would this mean for him going forward?

Lore breathed in deeply, thoughtfully exhaling as she sat on her haunches, ”Where do I begin, telling someone their own history? You’ve always had problems with blocking stressful memories away, but never your whole life… You were born to a nomadic pack by the name of Fellfang. They used to be a proud, spiritual pack with renowned healing abilities. Now, they are little more than a band of marauders, but I know in my heart that the spirit of the Old Fellfang remains. Both Story and you were born to Fellfang’s alpha, and both potential heirs. Story always seemed to have the killer instinct that your father desired- you were different, you were always soft and kind, traits that your father tried to beat out of you at an early age... I suspect that’s where your memory gaps began.

Despite your temperamental differences from the rest of your family, you were a talented tracker and hunter for Fellfang. One Autumn, the whole pack was called on a mass hunt on a herd of buffalo that was passing through the area, but Story called you away. Only you, Story, and your father stayed behind. All I know, is that when the pack came back, your father had been murdered. You were covered in his blood, and couldn’t remember what had happened.

Story was slightly battered as well, and claimed that you had killed your father in a blacked-out rage, and had tried to kill him as well. The whole pack was aware that you seemed to have gaps of memory lost from times of trauma that somehow seemed linked to fits of wild, blind aggression, an ailment which the wolves of Fellfang call the Curse of Arn. It runs in our family… but on your father’s side.

The whole pack took Story at his word, he banished you from the pack… and you never returned. I was never sure as to what really happened, and even if you did kill your father… I was always sure it was your blood curse, not the real you.

After you vanished, Story became alpha of Fellfang, and has remained so to this day, as far as I know. When he became alpha, he changed. He was always aggressive but he embraced the warrior nature of Fellfang’s recent generations and turned it for the worse. I could always tell that deep down, he was afraid that you would come back. If someone is after you, it’s probably Story, or someone with his blessing. After all, they all think you killed their alpha. I left Fellfang shortly after Story took over, I’m afraid I know no more.

… I’m sorry your tale is so dark, I wish I had better news to tell you.”

Fable stood in silence, his dark eyes staring into into a void behind Lore, sifting, searching, reeling. His buckling legs gave way, and he fell to his belly with a soft gasp.

”Thank you, Lore… for everything you’ve told me,” His voice was weak and quavering, but a new resoluteness was cast in his expression. ”Knowing all of this, I still need to find Fellfang. I need to talk to Story… and clear my name if I can, or at least hear the worst from his own tongue. I can’t walk away from this, not now.”

He turned to Polaris, returning to his feet. His eyes were soft but grave, ”This may be dangerous, Polaris. There’s no way to know how this will go until I find them.”

Polaris listened anxiously as the female weaved the story of Fable’s past. He was the son of an alpha, a celebrated hunter of the pack. Lore described Fable’s patience and compassion, the qualities Polaris admired most about her companion. She felt she was learning more about him, and it stuck her that Fable was leaning about himself. How would it feel, to not know ones roots? Polaris thought about how much of an effect her family had on her. She relied on their support, they shaped her into the strong wolf she had become. Fable didn’t have those cherished pup-hood memories. Everything was an incomprehensible blur. But his sister, Lore, seemed affectionate. Polaris was liking her more, her muscles began to relax as time passed between them. Even though her words were striking, Polaris knew Lore meant well. She could read the empathy on her face.

The the tale took a dark turn with the birth of Fable’s memory gaps. His father was cruel, violently accosting his son for his even temperament. How could a father beat his own son? Polaris clenched her eyes together and lowered her head. Fable was good and brave and fair, he did not deserve such treatment. Polaris thought about Stallion. He was her biggest defender, her rock. Fable did not have that relationship with his father. There was so much he was missing and would never have. Polaris took a step forward, softly brushing his side with her flank, offering him support as Lore continued. She was here, he wasn’t alone, and she was never going to let anything like that happened to him again.

Then Lore recounted the events that lead to the murder of Fable and Story’s father. The brothers were the two suspects, the murder had to have been one of them. And yet, Polaris found herself not caring whether or not Fable had killed his own father. It was a grave crime, to kill one’s alpha, and he sounded as is he was a well respected leader of the pack. But he was cruel. Polaris would have liked to finish him herself for what he had done to Fable. She doubted Fable knew in his heart whether or not he was guilty, but she did not care either way, and she could not blame him if he was found responsible. His father had answered for his brutality against his son.

Story’s injuries, however, struck Polaris as odd. She did not doubt that Fable could have harmed Story if he had gotten in the way, but Fable had great control over himself, more than she had over herself anyway. She could not reasonably imagine Fable hurting his brother. And so, he remained innocent in her mind.

The Curse of Arn. How strange it was, but comforting to know that their affliction had a name. Little was known, but still it was passed down from parent to child, an inherited disease. Yet, no one in her family, save for her grandmother, Felidae, had any symptoms of the curse. She was contemplating this when Fable turned toward her, warning her of the dangers of the task ahead. Polaris nodded, her expression thoughtful, but she did not hesitate with her response.

“You risked your life to defend my family, Fable. Now, let me help you reunite with yours.”

Fable’s grim expression softened at Polaris’ response. He breathed, ”Thank you… I don’t know what I do if you weren’t here…”

It was true. He didn’t know if he’d have the strength to do this alone, not after all he’d been through, and all the self-doubt he experienced on a daily basis. He would always try with all his might, but Polaris’ support gave him strength that he didn’t know he had before.

He turned back to Lore, ”How do we find them?”

Lore sighed. Fable’s plan to find Fellfang concerned her… she didn’t know what kind of reception he would receive. She could tell from the look in his eyes that he would follow through with his quest whether she told him their location or not.

She nodded knowingly, the slight gruffness returned to her low alto voice as she regained control of her emotions, “The last I caught wind of them, they had settled in neutral territory Southwest of Blutwald’s border. You will catch their scent a few hours from here.”

Fable’s heart leapt into his throat with a combination of excitement and trepidation… they were so close.

”Will you come with us, Lore?” Fable asked, hoping to better get to know his rediscovered half-sister.

Lore swallowed hard and paused, a complex expression crossed her face like the shadow of a passing cloud before she replied, ”I’m sorry, Fable… I can’t go back to Fellfang, not yet, anyway. Unlike you, I left to escape the past that I can’t help but remember. Be well, brother, I wish you the best with finding all that you seek. Now that I know you’re alive- I’ll find you when I’m ready. We will meet again, hopefully under better circumstances.”

Fable’s head bobbed as he replied, ”I’ll look forward to it.”

Lore bit back her emotions once again as she embraced her brother one more time before turning to the forest once again.

She looked back at Polaris and smiled for the first time during their encounter, ”Take care of him, will you? He’s going to need someone to help keep that head of his on straight.”

With a swish of her tail, she quickly vanished into the forest undergrowth.

Polaris offered Lore a grateful smile and the nod of her head, then she watched the mysterious female seemingly vanish between the trees. She met Fable’s determined gaze. The journey before them would not be easy. Once again they would step into the unknown. But they were not alone, they had each other. If nothing else, they could find comfort in their bond.

“Ready?”

A soft smile broke his set expression as he nodded to Polaris.