Do You Believe In Magic? - Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Sable's POV

The fresh air is so wonderful. I haven't smelled air that isn't filled with car exhaust, cigarette smoke or perfume for so long. I unpack quickly so I can head outside and go for a walk. I put the bathroom items away and head downstairs. Willy is nowhere to be seen but that's normal, he always disappears for the first while when we come to the mountain.

I grab a jacket and head up the back of the mountain. I walk for about ten minutes and come to my spot. I know I'm not the only one to come here but I still consider it to be my special place. The view is spectacular, I can see the whole valley from here. There is a small stream and lots of wildflowers. I take my jacket off and settle on a good sized rock where I can watch everything going on around me. I hear a soft growl from behind me and I turn and smile, it's my friend Brenin. Brenin is a grey wolf that I have known since he was a pup. "Hi Brenin, how are you? Where's your family?" He approaches me and I reach over to pet his head. He is such a majestic beast, and I feel no fear when I am this close to him. I don't remember when I first laid eyes on Brenin but it was a very long time ago. We have been through many lifetimes together. You probably didn't know that some wolves live many lives, just as I do. Brenin and I have travelled many long and dangerous roads, and this may be our final journey.

"Oh, Brenin, I miss you so much. Things have been getting real bad lately. I don't know if I can continue to follow the path I'm on. I'm so glad to be here and to be with you again. Where is your family?" He nudges my leg with his snout and gently points me in the direction of the trees. I follow him carefully picking my way through the bushes. "There you are," I cry when I catch sight of his mate and two strong cubs. She is majestic, proud and very protective of her young. She's licking my outstretched hand. I decide to call her Maebh and the cubs would be Seudag for the girl and Eirian for the boy. I haven't heard any of those names in centuries so it will feel good to speak them aloud again.

I hear footsteps approaching, Brenin, Maebh and the cubs head up the mountain where they turn and howl before racing off into the forest. I turn and there is a stranger approaching. Who is this stranger? He looks to be over 6 feet tall with broad shoulders and a small waist. He has raven hair and the bluest eyes I've ever seen. He's wearing a pair of baggy jeans, blue t-shirt, red plaid jacket and Nike runners. He gets closer and his face lights up in a smile.

"Hi, thank heaven, I thought I'd never find anyone to help me? I'm lost and need to find my way back down." he said. "Well, you're lucky that you came upon me. Noone ever comes up here much anymore. Anyway, you just follow the path over there and it will take you down." He gets closer to me and sticks out his hand, "My name's Aron, do you live around here?" "Yes, where are you from?" "I've come from Hamburg and I've never been here before. It is a beautiful mountain. Did I just see you with some wolves? Weren't you nervous?" I give him a querying look and say, "Why would I be nervous of one of nature's creatures? I wouldn't hurt them and they know it."

Why is he still here? I've shown him the path to take but he still stands here. What does he really want and where is he really from? I don't know but I intend to find out. "I'm leaving now to start walking down, why don't you follow me? We can get acquainted while we walk."

"I'd like that. I didn't get your name."

"Sorry, it's Sable."

"Well, hi Sable, it's a real pleasure to meet you. Do you live on the mountain?"

"Not really, I'm just vacationing in our family home right now. Where are you staying?"

"I've rented the Sloan place. They're friends of my father so they offered it to me for as long as I need it."

The Sloan place was directly next door to our house but it was still separated by many metres of forest. He had to have come up the same path I did to get to where I found him (or he found me...), so why didn't I see him go by me? "Have you been here long?"

"Just a few days, it's very beautiful country. I hope to do lots of hiking and shooting."

I can't help it, I shout, "SHOOTING! How can you shoot a defenceless animal?"