Den of Thieves

Pulling out two wraps from the quiver Jasmine hands them to Carr, “you’ll need a dry bandage.”

Taking them, he inquires, “what about you?”

“Mine will heal themselves,” she displays a wrist puncture that’s closing up, “besides you’ve taken way more wounds than I.”

With a raised brow Carr nods, “that’s true.”

Walking down the old timber steps Jasmine says, “I’ll let you know when it’s safe to come down.”

“Alright,” Carr curiously watches her noting that the steps don’t even creak under her.

Reaching the gap of stairs Jasmine spreads out her arms stepping off. She glides gently to the ground.

Wandering animals make an effort to rub against her in passing.

Carr looks down from the tower to see Jasmine exits the building. Carr’s eyes widen spying her greet two massive creatures he’s only heard tales about. To her right a colossal sized, black dire wolf as big as a draft-horse with broad shoulders and a thick neck. On her left a gigantic fuzzy boar with two big tusks, one is badly broken.

Slowly removing his coverings Carr observes the trio. No words or sounds are uttered only several gestures are exchanged, as they walk to immobile animals. Checking each animal, she looks to the boar and wolf before healing them or walking away.

Using the damp healing herbs Carr places them on the worst of his wounds.

The boar snorts.

The wolf growls low.

Seemingly agitated the boar squeals once scraping the ground with a hoof.

Jasmine looks to the wolf, who is glaring at the both of them before sitting.

Kneeling beside a much smaller boar Jasmine chants a long incantation while her hands hover just above the animal. A white light emanates from her palms but doesn’t illuminate.

Carefully wrapping his wounds Carr watches them. He hears the long chant at least three times. Beginning the fourth chanting her hands glow white.

Placing his armoring back on she completes the chant. The white glowing seems to disappear inside the boar.

The small boar springs to life and races wildly about.

Noticeably tired Jasmine sits back. The trio watch as the little boar runs.

Observing them Carr doesn’t notice any other aggressive animals left on the grounds. Along the river he spies a pack of real dire wolves heading north.

Thinking its’ safe enough to venture out Carr picks up their things. Gingerly navigating the steps until the gap.

Bending down drops their stuff to the floor below. Hanging from the step he drops down.

At the bottom Carr is in awe over the blood covered, floor and walls. Stepping over a mangled torso tries to identify some of the many different red paw prints.

Outside isn’t much better, just harder to see. The ground feels oddly wet under foot. Walking towards the well he glimpses Jasmine healing a raccoon.

Both boar and wolf turn, briefly making eye contact with Carr, causing him to stop. They turn away and continue to search the grounds.

Close enough, for now Carr sits cross-legged on the wide low wall of the well. In awe he heeds how Jasmine continues to right downed creatures.

Looking over the ground the trio has already covered Carr spots several dismembered critters. He identifies a headless one as a wolverine, then notices Cal’s lifeless body under two other deceased males.

Sighing Carr speaks to Cal’s body, “why did you come after me? Why didn’t you and your brother just take off?”

Getting emotional Carr gets up approaching the bodies, “you could have disappeared.” Sadly, agitated raises his voice, “why did you two stay? With them? What were you thinking? You could have been alive right now!”

With so much that’s happened Carr loses it and kicks the dead males yelling, “was it worth it? Was it? Was it?”

The boar it’s small boar companion, the wolf and Jasmine look at Carr as if he’s gone crazy. Jasmine tries to telepathically explain Carr’s behavior.

With no other animals to be saved the group moves towards the ranting youth. Silently discussing why they were called to help. Jasmine leaves out the pursuit for the anklet. Instead tells them she hired Carr to assassinate Marten for killing her partner. Also pointing out the needless loss of animal life carried out by Marten’s men in the name of sport.

They know she’s not telling the full truth, but they also know Marten and his men aren’t worth pissing on.

Carr is still ranting, “you should’ve just disappeared! No, you had to follow the guild, looking for me!” Carr kicks one of the male’s hard head stubbing his toe. Hopping around cursing sees he’s being closely watched. Straightening up he utters. “Oh, hello,” grinning tries not to show any teeth.

Thrown off by Carr’s actions Jasmine walks carefully over placing a hand on his shoulder, “it’s good to see you have strong feelings, about things.”

Embarrassed Carr lowers his eyes, “sorry for that. I guess I’m a bit upset that Cal actually followed the guild, to his death.”

Patting his shoulder she says, “it is too bad. But it was his choice. If you were his age, would you have listened?”

Sighing, Carr replies, “no, probably not.”

“Me neither.” Taking her hand from his shoulder, she motions towards the wolf and boar, “as the marks we’ve left are not going to affect their kin they will allow you to go. They do have a request for being granted their help.”

Noticing how exhausted Jasmine appears Carr simply comments. “Surely, I’ll gladly help those who help me.”

“Good.” Smiling Jasmine nods, “these two beings are, let’s say, Nature’s Generals. They go by many names given by the sorted races and places amongst our world.”

Recalling tales told, he can’t recall the names told. “What are their names?”

She educates him. “They have no real names to each other, as they recognize others by scent. They do have a human preference to a family endearment. Grand,” gesturing to the dire wolf, “Grandwolf.”

“Oh,” Carr assumes pointing to the boar, “you must be Grandboar.”

The boar snorts and shakes its’ head.

“No,” Jasmine corrects Carr, “he knows that bore is a term used to identify someone who can put another to sleep with their words and actions. Hog, is his preference having no problem with eating too much or taking up too much space.”

“I see,” Carr faces the boar and bows slightly, “please forgive my ignorance Grandhog.”

Telepathically the boar replies. “It happens, better than hearing giant pig.”

Taking a double take at Grandhog, Carr isn’t sure he just heard what he did, “I think I just heard him.”

“Really?” Jasmine glances at Grandhog asking Carr. “What did you hear?”

Unsure he actually heard him and certainly doesn’t want to offend the two Deities Carr replies. “Well, Grandhog does not like being called a giant pig.”

Both Deities tilt their heads surprised the young Human can hear their spoken thoughts.

Also astounded by Carr, Jasmine comments. “You heard correctly. I guess you can actually communicate with the animals.”

With no need for Jasmine to interpret and wanting to return to the woods Grandwolf telepathically speaks, “well, Carr, is it?” In awe of how clearly, he can understand, Carr stares nodding slightly.

Grandwolf continues, “I have two simple requests of you. The first is only the spreading of words.”

Carr doesn’t have a problem with that, “sure, what is it you need said?”

The wolf explains. “Many only see my canine kin as a menace. So much so they are killed on sight or for sport. I am disgusted to see their fur torn from their bodies to be left to rot. Killing just for fur or fun, it’s undignified to them and I. I would like you to explain to any hunter or farmer you encounter that the canines have a purpose on this world.”

Not knowing what their purpose is Carr queries. “What should I tell them?”

Understanding Jasmine informs Carr, “canines help keep the mice and rat populations under control. Rodents and smaller creatures are a main part of their diet. Also, some will eat the remains of dead animals.”

Grandwolf lets them in on a not so know fact, “Canines that hunt in packs will chase down herd animals weeding out the weaker ones to eat. Which allows the stronger healthier herd animals to reproduce, making for better generations of the herds.”

“Oh really?” Learning something new Carr thinks out loud, “so, you are hoping that by me telling others of the benefits of keeping wolves and alike alive that fewer will be killed.”

Glad to see Carr understands Grandwolf continues, “yes. There’ll always be those hunting my kin, but fewer hunters means a better chance for them to flourish. The second thing I ask of you is refuge for those that inhabit the woods around your home, north of the Great Swamp.”

Nervously wondering how the wolf knows where he lives, “how is it you know where I live?”

Eyes rolling, Grandwolf states, “we smell it on you and have smelt you in those woods.”

Interrupting Grandhog remarks, “actually we thought Jasmine was working with a giant skunk.”

“Huh?” Carr sniffs himself still smelling the skunky odor, “Oh yeah.”

Seeming to be smiling at Carr Grandwolf queries. “We know that odor. Was it a rather large skunk that got you?”

Embarrassed Carr nods, “yes it was.”

“Was?” Grandhog asks. “Does that mean you killed the old skunk?”

Wondering if the skunk was a friend of theirs Carr quietly replies, “ah-yeah. I did, about a week ago.”

“Good,” notes the wolf calming Carr, “that stinky beast has been a nuisance for years.”

“Yes,” Grandhog congratulates Carr, “good for you.”

Astonished by their thoughts Jasmine sighs in disgust.

Relieved Carr gets back to the wolf’s last request, “refuge to you and your kin shouldn’t be a problem. But I was hoping that would come with a condition that my mother and the farm animals wouldn’t be harmed.”

No problem with the condition the wolf nods, “that can be arranged. To let simpler canines know to stay away just pee on the trees around your farm.”

Thinking about how many trees are there Carr smiles, “a lot of peeing. But I think what you ask of me is more than fair. You have my word that I will uphold your requests.”

Happy to hear it Grandwolf simply says. “See that you do.” Speaking to the group, “I’m off. Smell you all on the trails.”

Jasmine bows, “thank you for your help and good hunting.”

“Smell you in the spring,” replies Grandhog

Rubbing slightly against Grandhog the wolf Deity exits the clearing vanishing into the darkness of the trees.

Motioning with his big head Grandhog leads the small boar, Jasmine and Carr towards the river, “what my canine companion requests, seems good.”

Following behind Carr inquires to be certain, “you want people to stop hunting your kin? And refuge in the woods as well?”

Knowing how much, beings like the taste of his kin the boar clarifies his request, “refuge would be decent of you. There is a group of wild boar seeking new territory to roam safely. To expect nothing to hunt my kin is too much. Even I like the taste of those caged farm pigs.”

Disgusted by Grandhog’s last comment Jasmine shudders, “that’s awful. You’d really eat your own kind?”

The boar glances at Jasmine telling her, “Oh those pigs aren’t my kin. They’re bred for eating, so why not. If I was hungry enough, I’d nibble on either of your kind.”

Having heard tales of pig farmers eaten by their hogs Carr isn’t too surprised to hear it. She isn’t sure what to think of the Deity’s diet.