“I live-at the Castle-Hemshire. I-I’m Jaime Scaliger.”
The werewolf said nothing for several moments. “Why are you out here?”
“Men attacked-Mashai and Gary were getting married, and the men…they stabbed Mother, and Father was bleeding. Jed said I had to walk.”
Fur rustled as the werewolf moved, although he didn’t let go. “What’s this?”
The werewolf tugged on the sword, and Jaime pulled it to his chest. “It’s Father’s. I have to go to Rhyo. Jed said so.” Would the werewolf help? “I have to get help and show them the sword.”
“Hmm. Come on. You’re not exactly heading to Rhyo. You’re a bit too far east.”
Jaime screamed when the sword was pulled away, and his feet left the ground.
“I’ll take you to someone who can help, and it’ll be a lot faster if I carry you. No screaming. Were you followed?”
“No. I need the sword.”
“I got it. Lucky you, my vision is pretty good in the dark.”
Jaime didn’t have a choice but to cling to the warm, furry body. He’d never touched a werewolf before. It was sort of like a fluffy soft toy, except a lot bigger. The werewolf also didn’t stink like a wet dog despite what he’d once heard. Despite being unable to see, he could tell they were moving quite fast as the werewolf ran.
He didn’t know what to do except hold on. It was a while before the werewolf finally slowed and set him down. The sudden stop made him feel quite unsteady.
“If anyone was following, they wouldn't catch up so fast. I can’t keep you since you need to be with fairies, and you can’thunt like me. I know someone who will take you in.” A hand took his. “Hold your sword.”
“I have to talk to the B-baron.”
“Hmm. No. We’ll talk to a couple I know first. What’s your name again?”
“Jaime.”
“You might have to pick a new name, Jaime. I’m Vemer.”
What else could he be called? They walked for a bit with Vemer holding his hand which made Jaime feel better. It grew a little less dark. By the time he saw a new shape in the distance beyond the thinning trees and stumps, he could tell the werewolf was much taller than Father or even Jed.
The new form was a house with a faint light in one window. Vemer took him to the door and knocked while Jaime squinted at him, trying to make out his features.
“Who is it?”
“Vemer. I brought a friend.”
The door opened to reveal a dimly lit room and a man. “It’s early-oh.”
“He was out in the woods. Something happened at the Scaliger’s in the next hold over.”
The home belonged to an old man and his wife. Both had grey hair, and the wife’s yellow wings had streaks of greyish-brown in the feathers. She was dressed, but her hair wasn’t combed, and the old man’s shirt was untucked. Jaime wasn’t sure what to say or do anymore as Vemer told them what little he’d heard.
“Can I see that?”
“I have to show the Baron.” Jaime hugged the sword. “I’m supposed to go to Rhyo.”
“This is Rhyo,” said the elderly man. “We live on the edge. Are you sure you didn’t come from the cart?”
“He said his name is Jaime Scaliger.” Vemer crouched by the fire.
“How could someone attack their home? I’ll get the Baron up and tell him.”
“No,” growled Vemer. “How do you know if you can trust him?”
