Secrets of a Hybrid

Our team traveled by horse drawn cart to the Old River Woods, which took about two days. The first spring rains arrived as we traveled on the Eastern Merchant Route. Most believe if you face rain on your travels then you will face a week of gloom. Another sign that this job would be anything but easy. Emalynn leaned on me fast asleep as the cart bounced along the beaten path. I watched the trees as the rain continued to drizzle on the tarp draped over the top of the cart. The area was beginning to look familiar to me, and I could feel my heart start to pound. Had I been here before? The chill ran through my body for the second time in two days. My reaction to the surroundings awoke Emalynn from her slumber.

"Are you okay?" Emalynn asked sleepily.

I nodded. "Just a little cold." I couldn’t tell her about my misgivings about this place because I didn't even understand them yet. This place was so familiar to me, and for some reason I didn't like it.

Emalynn must have been watching my expressions when she threw a blanket over me. She whispered, "Whatever is bothering you, you aren't alone." She laid back on my shoulder and instantly fell asleep again. This girl was truly my best friend. Although she was still a kid in many ways, she had moments of wisdom and courage. I hope one day she will accept my true form.

"Be on alert. We have entered bandit territory," Aunt Leah cautioned.

Her words hit like a boulder falling off the cliff side. I had been here before on another job a year ago. Memories flooded my mind, and I felt tears escape my eyes. Before anyone could see my face, I dried my tears. This was the last place I wanted to be. No one seemed to notice my weak moment, and I am determined to keep it that way. I will keep myself together this time.

We pulled over at the entrance of the trail going through Old River Woods. Exiting the cart, Aunt Leah arranged to meet our driver here tomorrow morning. Having a horse drawn cart on this trail would draw unwanted attention from the bandits. We planned to hunt until the driver returned tomorrow. Our goal was to collect 3 Saber Grizzly Bears for a rich nobleman in our town. Carrying only essentials, our group walked down the trail under the cover of the trees.

"So, how do we track the bears in the woods?" Emalynn asked. Her excitement was brightly shown across her face. Not even the cloudy skies could ruin her smile.

Uncle Elias explained we would set out traps to lure the bears into the clearings in the woods. Emalynn would stay in the tree branches to be our eyes from above. Her archery and monkey form make it easy for her to sneak around the trees as long as she keeps focused. She could hit a saber bear’s eyes a hundred feet away in the pouring rain on a bad day. Her goal is to keep the bear from leaving the area, and she would be watching for any bandit activity around us. I looked over at her as she cartwheeled down the trail. It was hard to believe such a playful person could be such a skilled archer.

Aunt Leah and Uncle Elias will be on either side of the brush to pull the net up and tie it off on the trunks of the trees. Their incredible strength from their wolf forms will allow them to hold the bears back even though they are both masking their base wolf beast forms. Uncle Elias would deliver the final blow to bring the bears a quick end.

I have the distinct honor of being bait to draw the bears out. I am not as strong as my uncle and aunt, but I am faster than them. This is the only time being small comes to my advantage. I can run about 37 miles per hour on my best days, which makes me a little faster than the saber grizzly bear running about 33 miles per hour. I don't mind being bait so much, but I do mind having to wear dead, bloody fish around my waist to attract the bears. The smell of bloody salmon makes my stomach curl. What’s worse is we still need to catch our bait from the Old River in this forest. My day was just getting worse.

The rain continued as we made our way down the beaten path toward the river bank. The woods seemed quiet which was unusual for this time of day. There should at least be bugs or gliding squirrels rustling in the trees. Where are the rabbits dashing through the bushes like the last time I was here? It’s like a cemetery out here. Are we really going to find any saber grizzly bears? I steadied my breath as I concentrated on my hearing. In a densely wooded area like this, I can hear about five miles away, which I hoped would dispel my suspicions. I heard the flap of a bird’s wings, a tussle of quills on a porcupine and the rush of the river beyond the bend of the trail. Another breath passed through my lungs allowing me to deepen my concentration. Faintly, I heard the growl of a saber grizzly bear a little ways up the river, and a thunk of a step on a branch… Bandits… damn.

Aunt Leah looked back at me because I had stopped moving at this point. “What’s up, Rory?” She questioned. She could only hear about two miles in her base form. Leah and Elias were somewhat hindered in their current forms, but being half human and wolf allowed my wolf abilities to work well even in my human form.

“Our first target is about a mile up the river, but there are bandits about three miles down the river.” I said holding back the uncomfortable anger bubbling inside me. I am not here for those bandits. I am not going to worry about them. They are far enough away for now. I took a calming breath allowing my anger to sink inside of myself. Focus on the bears.

“Yay! Our first catch!” Emalynn clapped happily causing me to giggle at her. “I am so happy you learned some tracking magic! This will be a breeze.”

Uncle Elias just shook his head at Emalynn. “This will be far from a breeze, Ema. Rory’s magic will help find them, but that does not change the strength those bears have or their long sharp teeth. Stay alert.” He cautioned.

Emalynn’s perky ears dropped as she nodded to Elias. I patted Emalynn on the back to reassure her. It’s not her fault she’s always optimistic about everything. Her people are just naturally optimistic and playful, which is one reason I love her so much. I need her positivity to balance me out most days. Emalynn gave me a small smile and continued on the trail behind Uncle Elias.

Aunt Leah appeared beside me urging me along. As we walked, Aunt Leah complimented my progress with my wolf skills. She was already impressed by my growth since she saw me at the tournament two years ago. I kindly thanked her and resumed our silent walk. I could feel Aunt Leah studying me from behind. She must sense my uneasiness about this place and the job. I tried to adjust my expression to keep her from worrying, but I know it’s probably a lost cause. Aunt Leah knows me better than anyone, and Uncle Elias and Emalynn aren’t far behind Aunt Leah in knowing my expressions and personality. This was going to be a hard few days for me.

We made our way to the river, and I could smell the salmon swimming up the river. There was a faint scent of wet bear up the river. Although my enhanced wolf skills were useful, I hate accidentally smelling horrid things. The slimy fish scent filled my nose as we settled on the river bank. My aunt and uncle got to work setting up the traps around the area while Emalynn and I were stuck gathering the bait. She gets in the river while I sit on the river bank weaving a basket from the vines, sticks and leaves that I gathered as we approached the river. As I weave, I watch Emalynn use an arrow to stab at the water. She fumbles around splashing herself in the face. My basket takes form, and her clothes and snowy white fur are drenched. I couldn’t help but laugh. She looked over at me as I was cracking up at her drenched appearance.

“Glad to give you a laugh.” Emalynn said in a snarky voice.

“You look like the fish tried to drown you.” I giggled.

“It is a part of my strategy. I am trying to blend in with the salmon.” She said proudly. “I am an expert fisherman.”

“You haven’t fished since Uncle Elias took us camping five years ago. You couldn’t catch anything back then either.” I reminded her. “In fact, I remember a couple fish smacking you with their tails as you chased it through the stream.”

Her cheeks reddened and her ears dipped back. “At least, I am still working. Finish your basket, slacker.” She huffed.

I went back to work on my basket as I heard more splashes and grunts from Emalynn’s fishing attempts. Having Emalynn here is helping my uneasiness subside. Weaving my basket, I remember Aunt Leah gave Emalynn a net for the fish on the way down to the river. I looked over my shoulder to see Emalynn’s bow and the fishing net sitting there. I started chuckling. Only Emalynn would forget to use a net to fish. Focusing back at my basket, I weaved the rim of the basket and decided to add a strap to help me carry my bait. As I finished my work, Emalynn shrieked in frustration. I wasn’t sure how, but she was even more soaked than before.

"Emalynn, it's not time for a swim." I joked.

"Ha, ha, ha. Let’s see you do better." She challenged as she walked to the river bank. She let herself fall into the grass beside me. "Good luck." She hummed as she sat up to shake out her fur.

I got up with my basket secured on my back so it sat just over the strap of my bag that hung around my waist. Grabbing the net into my hands, I unfolded it as I entered the river. Emalynn watched closely as I stretched out the net in the water. Emalynn’s dumbfounded look gave me a giggle as I worked the current of the river. This time of year salmon follow the river back to their nest grounds at the lake just North of us. The river was full of schools of salmon, which brought the saber grizzly bears here every spring. The net was full within minutes as I worked under the water. I pulled the load back to the bank.

Emalynn glared at me. "I call foul!" She crossed her arms in frustration. "I forgot about the net, so you had an unfair advantage."

"Quit pouting and help me load the stinky fish into the basket." I retorted. Emalynn walked over to me as I pulled the basket off my back.

"Why are you always better at this kind stuff?" Emalynn asked as we filled the basket.

I stopped for a second to look at her. She focused on untangling each fish carefully. I wasn’t better at things than her. I was just more observant. "Ema, come on. There's no need to pout. All you need to do is focus, observe, and decide the best way to do things. You're doing that right now."

Emalynn paused for a moment, realizing her friend was right. "I guess I really am still a kid." She took a deep breath and looked up at me then she slapped me with a damn salmon. "I like being a kid."

Picking up a fish, I was about to exact my revenge when the smell of wet fur filled the air. "Ema, trees now!" I shouted. She blinked at me in confusion. "Go. Our target arrived early." She gave a simple nod grabbing her bow and quiver before racing up a tree. I threw the rest of the fish in the basket. A growl bellowed behind me. I secured the basket and began to run into the woods. I hoped Leah and Elias were ready.

Thank God for my wolf speed or I would be shredded by bear claws right about now. I duck and weave around the branches, but every branch just snaps behind me from the bear's wrath. I looked for Elias and Leah as I ran so we could take the bear out. Closing my eyes for a moment to focus, I hear my aunt whisper that they are ready. My eyes shoot open as my stomach comes crashing into a low lying willow branch. The air is knocked out of me as I hang over this stupid branch trying to steady myself. Pain spreads across my abdomen causing tears to streak down my cheeks. I can feel bile creep up my throat. My insides feel squished and rearranged all at the same time. Struggling to inhale, I hear the snarling beast behind me. Turning my head, I saw the bear stand eight feet above my curled up five foot, two inch form. I let myself drop from the branch to the soft grass at my feet. The stomach pain sharpened causing me to curl up on my knees.

Snarling, the bear swung down at me, throwing my small body into the trunk of the willow tree. The bear's paw knocked the basket of salmon off my back as my shoulder met the tree trunk. The bear turned toward the banquet beside him leaving me to writhe in the pain radiating in my shoulder. I am sure it would have been broken if I weren’t part wolf beast. Taking a deep breath, I pulled my shoulder out of socket and pushed it back in. Being able to shift forms allows my joints to be flexible, which is helpful sometimes. I pushed myself up against the trunk of the tree watching the bear feast on salmon. What now?

Omniscient POV

“Elias, are you sure about this? Since we reached these woods, I can sense Rory is off. She might get herself hurt.” Leah questioned as she tied off the iron laced rope for our trap. Both rope ends of the bottom of the net were tied to the trees. Now, they just had to wait until the bear came running through to pull the top of the net over the bear and tie it up. Wolf beast strength can take down a saber grizzly bear if there’s enough of it. One on one and the wolf would be crushed.

“Leah, she won’t face her demons unless she is forced. She won’t let us help otherwise. This place and the stress of facing the bandits should be enough for her to start talking.” He crouched down in the brush. For an older wolf beast, beamed youthful confidence. “My plan will work. Besides, we are here. She will be fine.”

Leah seemed unconvinced. Elias’s plan to force her niece to face whatever happened a year ago was risky and reckless. If Rory got too distracted she could be seriously hurt or worse, get someone hurt. Rory may never forgive herself if we or Emalynn were hurt because of her. Emalynn didn’t even know about Elias’s plan, but she needed to be here for herself. Emalynn needs to grow and Rory was the perfect catalyst for her. Emalynn being here was a part of Leah’s plan to watch the girls blossom.

A growl echoed through the woods. The girls must have encountered their prey already. Leah knew Rory would be listening for confirmation that the trap was set. She whispered, “we are ready.” More growls and snarls filled the forest. Leah looked over to Elias and he gave her a smile of reassurance. The girls will be fine.

Rory’s POV

I held myself against the willow trunk as I let the dizziness dissipate. This is the first tree that I genuinely dislike. Twice my body crashed into this tree within a few minutes of each other at a fast pace. Pain lingered in my shoulder and in my stomach. The smell of salmon guts polluted the air, returning my attention to the bear. I need a way to get it to follow me again without hurting myself again. I heard branches rustle above me, and I looked up to see a small, snow white monkey hanging from the tree branch. I let out a sigh of relief. Emalynn drew an arrow readying her bow in case I needed her. My balance steadied as I looked for an opening to grab some of the fish. The salmon was in a mess on the forest floor with pieces of my basket scattered in the mess. Deep breaths. 3...2...1

Rolling away, I grabbed a few salmon from the bear’s feast. Once my scent hit the bear’s nose, he turned to see me holding some of his feast. I pulled a knife to gut a salmon to entice the bear to follow me. The scent wafted in the air and suddenly the bear seemed to see red. Rage covered the bear's features. I definitely got his attention. I took off catching my uncle’s scent along the trail. The bear growled chomping at the air behind me. I pushed myself to go faster as my boots beat the trail beneath me. Faster, my heart pounded. I have to go faster.

Emalynn followed in the tree canopy above me. Her white monkey darted like a shadow above me. A saber tooth nicked my leg as the bear snapped behind me. I ran further dodging the trees, bushes, and a few unsuspecting squirrels. Elias and Leah are close now. I waved the stinky fish behind me to keep the bear’s interest, almost causing myself to be sick. I no longer liked Elias’s plan to catch the bears.

Another growl and snarl later, I finally made it to Elias and Leah. I sensed them on either side of the trail ahead. I pushed myself for one last spurt as the bear once again nicked my leg. A pinch of pain registered in my mind as I raced between Elias and Leah. A loud growl bellowed through the forest as I fell on to the grass. I huffed as Leah grunted, wrangling the net over the bear. Elias tied his end to the tree trunk. Ema stood at the ready above to provide support. The bear slashed and snarled trying to stand and escape. Leah groaned as the bear pulled harder. Elias came around to aid Leah after securing his side. I made myself stand in case something went wrong. Elias and Leah pulled the net down forcing the bear down. The bear was done as it wildly thrashed left and right. I saw the struggle Elias and Leah had trying to keep their hold. So much for wolf beast strength. Elias gave me a look to be ready. I nodded, taking each of my daggers in my hand. If I go top speed, I might be able to come close to Elias’s strength. I backed up to enable myself to reach a good speed.

“Rory!” Leah shouted.

That’s my cue. I charged toward the bear bringing my daggers up into a strike position. The bear was guarding its chest nullifying my plan for speed, so I opted for a throat shot maneuver. Running up the bear's back, I dropped onto my stomach and forced my claws to form on my human fingers. I dug into the bear's back causing its head to fly up exposing the neck. I took my chance and stabbed the bear's throat with my daggers. I dragged the daggers back toward me causing the bear to groan and gush blood. Blood began to pool on the ground causing the bear to slow as it tried to throw me off. It clawed my arms in the struggle for me to let go. Elias and Leah pulled hard on the net causing the bear and me to fall. I clung to the daggers as the beast collapsed. The bear fell to its side, trapping me underneath it.

Pain started radiating through my back from being slammed to the ground under the bear. My chest was crushed under the bear's weight. If I weren't half wolf beast, I would be dead. Only my head was free from the beast upon me. My hands still held the daggers inside the bear's neck, which pinned my arms under the bear's shoulder. It was getting harder to breathe. There was no room to move as I was slowly being drenched in blood. My vision began to blur and the sounds of Leah and Elias were fading.

The weight on my chest began to lighten. My shallow breaths became deeper. Everything was still blurry, but I could hear my name being called. Slowly, my arms fell to the ground from their pinned position. The daggers rested in my iron grip.

Breathing in, I tried to speak, but could only cough. I felt Emalynn’s furry hands bring my head into her lap. She was calling to wake me up.

I pushed my voice out. "Ja...Elias"

"Yes, Rory?" He said with a hopeful sadness in his voice.

"Your… pla… plans..ss.. suck." I stuttered. The pain intensified with each inhale.

"Agreed." Leah chimed in. "Elias, you are no longer allowed to make plans." Leah seemed serious this time.

"Yes, ma'am." Elias agreed.

"Rest, Rory." Emalynn pleaded with me.

"S..sure." I managed to say before closing my eyes and letting the darkness take me.