Mutz
Legacy Name: Mutz

The village streets are always empty this late at night. It was the perfect time for me to run.

I had little choice, Roanof was coming tomorrow and I could not deny him a third time. He had promised that if I did not sell him my land, I would meet my end instead. The only way to keep my life and my livelihood was to run and take the deed with me.

Through the day I had made the preparations to sneak away. The shop contents –jewelry, precious stones and crystals- were hidden behind false walls and buried in boxes around the perimeter. The gold was safe in my pocket and jingled with my steps. A rucksack filled with food, water and a sturdy cloak bounced against my back.

The moon was full, lending ample light to my escape, until I reached the woods that is. As I stepped in, the thick foliage blocked out any light that could have helped me. The wildlife around me quieted as my boots crunched through fallen twigs and dead leaves littering the forest floor. I stopped, hoping they would begin their noises again. They didn’t but stopped again when a loud snap sounded from behind me.

I whirled around to find Roanof and six of his cronies entering the forest. He caught sight of me and grinned. Then I did the only thing I could, I ran.

All my life I had been small, leading to bullies of all sorts. What they never counted on was my small stature being an advantage. What I lacked in strength I made up for in finding escape routes and places to hide. Places that were too small to give much notice to my pursuers.

I easily made my way through the thick undergrowth while Roanof and his men struggled behind me. I looked back to be sure and made my first mistake. My foot hooked under a root and my momentum sent me flying down a steep hill.

The second mistake came from trying to low myself down by grabbing the roots sticking out of the ground around me. They slashed at my hands and arms leaving deep bloody cuts. I finally came to a stop in a small clearing. Roanof stood at the top of the hill leering down at me. There was no chance of him catching up before I ran off so I grinned smugly and turned to the center of the clearing. That was when I made my third mistake, the one that would change my life.

Standing off to the side of the clearing was a wolf. Her pale fur almost glowed in the moonlight and her yellow eyes locked on me. I stumbled back as she inched towards me. Terror raced through meas her wet nose skimmed my cheek. When nothing else happened I extended my hand. She sniffed and licked it, her tail wagging slightly.

The wolf crouched and yipped at me playfully. I laughed and lowered myself to mimic her pose. Suddenly, her head shot up and her attention focused on the top of the hill. A growl rumbled in her throat. I looked up to where Roanof was aiming his gun at the wolf. He pulled the trigger and I maneuvered myself in front of her, taking the heavy bullet in the stomach.

Searing pain.

Hot.

Cold.

The wolf. Closer. Her teeth white and shining. Pain in my shouder. Her teeth dripping blood.

Dark.

A beam of sunlight hit my face and I shaded my eyes. I was in a clearing, but I had no idea why. My shoulder burned and my stomach ached. I looked down and my clothes were coated in dry blood.

The memories came flashing back at a dizzying speed. I ripped my shirt off and saw only a bruise. No gaping hole. My shoulder on the other hand, sported a bite mark that still had fresh blood.

“I’m sorry about that. I thought it would be healed by the time you woke up.” I turned to see the woman walking into the clearing more easily. She was thin but her movements spoke of power and confidence. Her eyes locked with mine and the shade of yellow struck something in my mind.

“You’re the wolf.” I whispered. Her smile was blinding and she hurried to sit beside me.

“I didn’t think you would recognize me like this. No one ever has. My name is Silvestra.”

“Mine is Mutz.” Thoughts whirled through my head as I stared at her. “How?”

“Werewolf.” She answered. I nodded, trying to process everything.

“Wait.” I said, panic making my voice shaky. “You bit me. Am I a- a um…”

“You will be.” Silvestra answered. Seeing my panic increase she quickly tried to reassure me. “It’s not bad, it’s very good.”

“But it’s not-“

“Look at me.” I ignored her so she placed her hands on either side of my face and forced me to look at her. ’This is good. I would not have done this if it were some horrible curse. You saved my life and for that I am eternally grateful. Feel the power in your blood, the freedom in your soul. I will help you through this and show you how great it is.” She smiled that dazzling smile again, filling me with calm.

“Thank you for saving my life.” I said.

“You’re welcome. Now come with me, we must scare that man off for good and get you back to your store.” Silvestra stood, pulling me up along with her.

“How do you know about that?” I asked.

“I followed them while you were sleeping. They talk loudly but there is little substance behind their threats.” She said. An eerie grin settled over her lips as we moved between the trees. I began to notice the distinct absence of noise as she walked and did my best to mimic her. My movement became silent and the wildlife noises picked up. “They have not left the forest, it will be easy to take care of them. Be careful not to bite them. I do not wish to sully the werewolf name with those delinquents.”

“What happens if I bite?” I asked. She turned to look at me.

“Then you must finish them.” She answered simply. I nodded and we continued walking.

Not long after that, Silvestra motioned for me to stop. We peered through the trees and saw them gathered around a small campfire. They were muttering back and forth, mostly about how to get past the wolf and get the deed off my body. Silvestra covered her mouth to stifle a giggle and lead me away from the camp.

“You will go and make yourself seen. Lead them here and I will distract them long enough for you to change. Then we will lead them far enough away and get them lost in the woods.” Silveatra said.

“That’s great and all, but how do I change?” I asked.

“Just think it and it will happen.” She said. I nodded and she shooed me towards the camp.

With my shoulders squared and my head held high, I strode into the camp and made my presence known. Roanof stared at me, mouth agape. “Well, what are you waiting for?” I said tauntingly. They began to reach for me just as I bolted out of reach. The rush of speed disoriented me and I fought to slow down. I looked to the right and could see Silvestra racing along beside me. At a nod, she slowed and leapt out behind me, catching my pursuers’ attention. They froze, forgetting about me long enough to allow me to slip out of sight and attempt my first change.

It was as easy as Silvestra said, but she had neglected to mention the pain. White hot sparks danced along my skin, starting from the bite on my shoulder. When the pain stopped I stood on four wobbly legs and looked around.

Images were sharper, though the color was duller. Sounds from miles away carried to my ears and I lifted my nose to find the same held true for smells. I was so lost in the experience I almost missed Silvestra’s whimper of fear.

I tore through the trees and found her backed up against a Cliffside. Roanof and his men had their backs to me and I used that to my advantage along with the fact that they had forgotten their guns and were armed with only knives. I paced forward on silent steps and crouched behind the nearest crony.

With a strong leap I tackled him to the ground, smacking his head into the ground and leaving him unconscious. Now the other six were focused on me, leaving Silvestra free to use the same move on another. Now there were five.

We circled them, keeping a good distance from the sharp metal. “Stop. I’m going to circle around to you.” Silvestra said, though the human part of my brain processed it as barks and growls. I stopped and stood staring at the men, hackles raised. Silvestra easily made her way over and copied my stance. “Now we’re going to run, follow me and we’ll lose them.” I barked out a laugh and waited for her signal. As it turns out, she had no plans to make a signal. She just turned and ran. I followed at her heels, going just slow enough for the man to keep me in sight.

Silvestra ducked aside and lead me to a small hole where we were easily hidden. They ran right past us and kept going while we snuck away in the opposite direction. “It will take them a long time to find their way back out.”

“So what do we do now?” I asked.

“We could go back to your store I guess.” She said glumly.

“That would mean changing again, being human again, right?” I asked in the same tone. She nodded and I snorted. A happy feeling settled in my chest, growing ‘’till it filled me completely. I tilted my head back and howled long and loud. Silvestra joined me, her song sad and only alone by itself, but with mine it was joyful. “Catch me.” I challenged. She yipped and started after me as I darted away.

We ran for hours, chasing and wrestling on our way back to town. At the edge of the forest, Silvestra cowered. “What’s wrong?” I asked, nudging her gently.

“If you go, you’ll never come back.” She muttered.

“We will go, and we will come back all the time.” I promised. She looked at me. Then we changed and left the shelter of the trees.

People shot me odd looks as I walked through town,, shirtless and with a strange woman following at my elbow. I smiled, trying to reassure them and keep Silvestra calm. We reached the store and I darted upstairs to put on fresh clothes while she waited downstairs.

The door slammed open and I ran downstairs to find Roanof striding in. He towered over Silvestra, but she held her calm, staring into his malicious eye with a look of ice. I could see it unnerved him and that gave me strength. I walked in and looped an arm around Silvestra’s shoulders, surprised by the tension I found there.

“Can I help you Roanof?” I asked.

“I’ve had enough of your foolishness, sell me this land or I will end you.” He threatened.

“I won’t be selling to you, not now, not ever.” I spat. He jumped forward, a hand reaching for my throat.

In some corner of my mind, I knew he was moving fast, but it was so easy to push his hand away and wrap my own around his throat. Roanof gaped at me while Silvestra smiled, teeth bared in an eerie grin. “Now listen and listen good, leave me be or I will end you.” I growled out. He looked in my eyes and must have seen something because he nodded frantically. I released him with a shove that sent him stumbling out the door.

“That was amazing. How do you feel?” Silvestra asked.

“I feel new, like I’ve been reborn.”