Legend says, sometimes a wolf is born
To a pack of jackals
But the young wolf soon departs from Their ways
Sensing this,
the jackals try to kill it.
Sometimes this just makes the Wolf grow stronger,
And when the Wolf survives
Let the jackal BEWARE
When the odds are against us, And yet we still survive
It’s nice to know we are not alone
....And that the Greywolf hunts Again ©djc

Enter, that you may see for yourself the journeys that I Aeries,
chronicler to the history Of Alba have witnessed.

-So say I on this, the twenty and second day of Abrile
during the rein of Our Glorious King Ian

How I came to be in this position is still a small mystery to one such as I.
A lowly scholar and map maker, I am by nature, shy and reclusive.
I have lived in a 100 acre wood year after year since I can remember. Bothered by no one and bothering none.
I am happy in my life here. I belong to this glade and know every inch that it is my home now.
I have no desire to go back to life in the courts, now- or ever.

It was in the spring of 1305 and I was by the walled cistern, to retrieve a days water.
Twas early on a spring morn, and the mist rising from the pool under the waterfall was obscuring to say the least..
I heard a sound that drew me heart and body to the edge of the pool,
At first twas my mortal fear a kelpie was ashore but as I peered through the bracken and brambles,
I saw a nymph of a woman swimming languidly the length of the pool and back.
Slow lazy strokes pulled her effortlessly through the water.
Her mane of golden hair trailed out behind her, a banner of silk upon which the sun itself deigned to display the dappled colors of her spring flag.
Floating onto her back, her face raised to the sun smiling in a fey way, she began to sing an ancient song,
one of thanks and well being to the spirit folk for providing her safe passage.

Being a naturally curious type, and not wishing to intrude upon her prayer, I took myself around to where she had shed her clothing to gain some insight as to who she might be.

Upon reaching her bundled clothing it was readily apparent she was familiar of military procedures as her travel bundle was prepared for hasty departure.
Her tunic and leggings were of high grade leather. Repaired often, but sill soft as butter and well oiled against weather and stain.
A battle harness lay on top, filled with all things sharp and pointy.
Some I did not even recognize, had a decidedly foreign appearance-
but what caught my eye was the six foot long staff
perfectly balanced on top of her ruck sac
a most unusual piece of equipment for a woman to carry, as it was long considered to be the choice of only the most elite of Warriors.
I had the hair raising feeling I was being watched but every time I looked about..there were only shadows and I could detect nothing in the area.
deciding at this point not to disturb the girl.
( Haste being the better part of valor)
I withdrew back to the cistern to retrieve the bucket and start the journey home.

Hefting the bucket onto the travel yolk whilst grunting under the weight of it’s necessity, I turned and..
There stood the girl.

Looking back on it, Not doing anything for a split second probably saved my life, as Her stance was wide and ready to shift into action.
Her long hair I noticed, was streaming down her back and sticking in wet tendrils around her shoulders and waist.
Although her arms were at her side, so too was the massive Broadsword.
It glinted wickedly in the sun, catching the Celtic patterns etched on the blade.
The crossbar of folded iron extended out to protect her blade hand. Wrapped in braided leather for a better grip when slick from battle gore.
Set on the end of the pommel was a crystal as clear as a summer noon in Alba.
The blood groove of the massive blade was set with gold and runic symbols that seemed to evade the eye when looked at directly.
Her battle harness was tucked away I assumed, as she didn’t seem to have it with her-Good for her I thought. never let them see what you have with you..this was one girl that definitely planned ahead.

Remembering my manners, I stammered hello and an introduction. To which I was met with silence.
Sighing, I turned toward the path home cursing every drop of water that spilled on the way.
Behind me I could hear her feet shifting uncomfortably on the dried pine needles,
"Wait!" she croaked in a voice long since unused.
I don’t know if it was the sound or the tone of her voice but, I knew instinctively the effort it had cost her.
So I stopped and set the pail on the ground carefully-I might add-and leaned on the now empty yolk. As I turned around I thought I heard the high begging whine of a dog or some such creature not seen..

She was holding out a round opal twice as big as my fist. The sun entering the orb was splintered and refracted off into thousands of tiny rainbows matching the gems incorporated into the stone.
As I watched, the stone lifted slowly from the palm of her hand and settled gently into my hand-
the one I don’t remember holding out.
Then she smiled that fey smile and with a small swish of retreating branches, disappeared into the wood whence she came.
Recovering from the abrupt exit I once again picked up the pail and started home.
Then I realized-rather sadly-I knew not even her name.....

Much has changed since that chance (sometimes I wonder) meeting. For starters, it’s 400 years later. But sometimes the memories persist.
I relay to you the story passed down amongst the Clan members, on dark winter nights when even the snow creaks:

-------------------((((BEGIN FLASHBACK))))-------------------
In the Wood, you can stay lost if you so wish.....and Lira wished with all her heart to stay lost"
"(((Wrapping vines and grasses around the chain links of the manacles to still their damming voice)))" "(((Her mind rushing around, searching for some way to get herself out of her latest predicament)))"
"BAHH!! damn the Marquis and his "hospitalities"" "I should have KNOWN!" she growls angrily. "No man is THAT charming"
Lira rests her head on her forearms, weary to the bone - yet unable to give up, she wills her shaking muscles to move.
Lira sees in her minds eye the mist heralding his arrival
"(((The wind picks up and whips the trees. one single crack of thunder and before her stands....)))"
"Hello Merlin" she says with a wry grin, "sneaking in quietly I see?"
(((Lira hears in her mind,)))
"Well *chuckle* looks like your up to something, and nice to see you too Lira."
"blast it old man!!! get me out of this light forsaken hole!!!!!!!!"

(((Lira's being is suffused by bright light and warmth. As the light winks out she sees she is in Merlin's stronghold.)))
"(( Merlin gently places his hands on the manacles, and they fall open..)))
Lira inhales with a hiss, the pain washing over her in vile black waves of nothingness.
"(((Silently Merlin bathes Lira's wrists- gently cleaning the angry festering welts. ))) Testimony to how much she hated them and how frequently she tried to remove them"
(((Lira hears))) in her mind. "You knew they would not come off-why did you persist?"
((Lira shrugs))
"(((Merlin gently cups Lira's face and kisses her forehead-and the healing spell is activated")))
Lira slumps onto the bed with a tiny sigh, her mind and body welcoming the artificial respite.

"(((Merlin watches her sleep for a while-a frown creasing his ageless brow)))" "(((The Ancient Wizard shuffles over to the massive Tome set upon the golden Dais)))" "(((and becomes absorbed in the runic elements of holding spells)))"
Lira, in an unnatural sleep mumbles and tosses, moaning as her wrists touch the silk of the bedsheets

"(((Merlin looks at the ceiling, and concentrates on the universal energies swirling and dancing across the cathedral ceiling)))"
"(((Softly he whispers)))
Wolf: "Teacher, pathfinder, moondog of my soul-Howling singing, teaching me to know"
"((((The vortex opens to illuminate the massive Wolf patiently waiting at the portals entrance)))"
"(((Merlin chuckles)))-are you waiting for an invitation? come friend, I would show you something"
"(((As the Wolf pads across the portal, a small sucking sound announces his arrival in Merlin’s time, and the passage from his own )))"
"(((Immediately the Wolf crouches in attack posture, sensing and smelling another)))" "(((Merlin gently places a hand on the huge lupine head to stay the deadly action)))"
"(((The Wolf looks at Merlin, clearly questioning)))"
"(((Merlin sighs, His violet eyes burn deeply into the yellow orbs of the wolf.))) "A long time ago you pledged your help to me did you not?" "(((Wolf nods affirmative)))"
Merlin continues...This pup needs a pack my friend- or she will die.
"(((Wolf looks at Merlin patiently, waiting for him to explain)))
"(((Merlin smiles at the still sleeping Lira. She is all I have left Kylar, the last of my kind)))"

She is the Last Warrior Priestess of her clan. She and I saved Uther and Arthur from death many times.
We have been messengers for the Lady of the Lake, we have even rescued Excalibur from the dark side.
"(((We sang the song of the One, and drove the darkness back to Shaol Guhl)))"
at that, Wolf pads to the bed and sniffs at Lira, feeling her soul fire and dismayed at the smallness of the life fire in one so "young"
((((Wolf looks at Merlin accusingly, why? what has taken her life fire?)))"
"(((Merlin sighs deeply))): She has given all to preserve life-to guard against the darkness. "It is her duty,yet surely she deserves more?"
"((Merlin continues)))..."her life flows out and I cannot stop it. She is dying Kylar, there is no reason in her mind or heart to go on"
"((Wolf growls low and angrily. Clearly distraught at the end result of so called "peace")))"
"(((Merlin wipes a hand across his tired brow))). " This is why I called you Kylar, keep her safe and teach her to WANT to live again-only you can do this"
"(((Wolf pads to the bed and gently licks the fluttering pulse at her battered wrist)))"
"((((Wolf looks over his shoulder as Merlin crosses the Portal and disappears into the Mist)))"
"(((Merlin’s voice echoes across time))). " Remember Kylar: Life is Glorious, if harsh. the difference between living and dying can be as simple as the truth"
"(((Guard her well friend-for she has much to do yet)))"
"(((Wolf chuffs softly and curls next to Lira)))"
"(((His eyes reflecting the liquid image of the sleeping mage)))" "(((Wolf, concentrates and howls his honor to his ancestors and acknowledges his pledge to Merlin)))"
"(((he soothes her and lovingly wraps a pack bond, deep within her soul. She will want for family no more-I AM LIFE and so, take this cub as my own)))"
"(((Wolf drifts off, dozing but ready to be instantly alert. and chuckles: A cub? at my age?)))"
"((Deep in a healing sleep, Lira welcomes the heat that seems to have appeared suddenly, too groggy to question the new feeling of "belong" that courses through her veins)))"
Lira drifts between this world and the other-content to just be.

~~~Some say Lira and Wolf still exist today, who knows *W*. Stranger things have happened me thinks.

Meanwhile, somewhere else in time......

Lira walks into the Dojo and strips to tank top and shorts
while Wolf pads to the office and lays in the corner. Lira takes a centering breath and begins to move through her forms
"breath...slide....chi rises up. use your energy to search"
Lira slides the catch on her Staff-the broadsword unfolds
"hello Tallis, how are you today?"
Lira feels the hum of life coursing through the leather bound haft she smiles slightly and continues the forms over and over, until there is no memory of acting or reacting her line from thought to completion was instantanious.
Lira, panting now-heaves the sword over her head and slashes a downward stroke-stopping the tip inches from the floor.
"ahh little man-I will decide your fate, do not try to influence me, I know your little tricks"
Lira's sword vibrates in anger then becomes still
"thank you" "....and I DO remember Tallis, but it is not time yet"

Lira drapes a cooling sheet over her shoulders and sits on the weight bench, idly cleaning and oiling Tallis...and thinking
--Wolf pads silently from the office to sit at Lira's side
Lira smiles at Wolf "it's been a long time, "things they are nay sa bad eh?"