The Unhappy Heart (Book 1 of The Wolfheart Trilogy)

10. Fool's Pass

"Look, I understand this must be hard for you. But think of the lives you could save. You have no idea of the number of youngsters he has lured into dark caves and killed. Think of them." He paused then added in a low voice. "Think of their mothers."

His words hit Andrea hard. Although she had not grown up with a loving mother, she knew well of the love that normally bonded a mother and their child. And as she thought of it, she also thought of that young soldier. Where was his mother now? Had he been her only child? Was she a widow? How would she bear his death? Was she at this moment, grieving for her loss? She looked abruptly away, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

"I'll do it. Just tell me what I need to do."

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Andrea walked swiftly through the forest, head high and jaw set determinedly. From her outwards appearance, she looked calm and confident. But within, her heart thudded rapidly, and it took all her willpower not to glance over her shoulder. Her mind kept racing back to the day the carpenter had come and the words that had been said. 

These are a strange and deadly breed come down from the mountain.

The thought filled her with fear. This time, she allowed herself to glance around. If she didn't know any better, she would have thought she was alone. Sighing, she continued her way through the forest, startling herself every time a stick cracked beneath her foot. All too soon, she was there.

It was a beautiful place really. A thin stream trickled over the smooth pebbles and the rocks were covered with green moss. The cave didn't seem to look too damp from where she stood, but the deeper it was, the darker it got. Who knew what lay in the cover of those seemingly harmless shadows? 

Andrea swallowed nervously, wishing she could stop the gruesome thoughts that rose to her mind. She knew well she was only scaring herself, but she couldn't help it.

She stepped back in fright as something moved in the darkness of the cave and let out a sigh of relief as the white wolf emerged. But the relief only lasted a minute before the cold hand of fear latched around her heart. Her determination however was stronger. She forced a smile and took a step forward.

"Hello, Felan," she greeted, hoping he did not notice how her voice trembled. "I've been looking everywhere for you. Do you wanna join me on a walk?" 

Felan stared at her, his head cocked to one side and eyes wide with curiosity. 

Andrea swallowed hard, before trying again. "Come on, boy. It will be fun."

As if coming to a decision, Felan came forward. But instead of going to her side, he took her hand gently between fanged jaws and tugged her forward, in the direction of the cave. Andrea froze as the words Blade had spoken to her on their first meeting, came back to her.

It is no normal creature but rather a sly intelligent beast that preys on innocent children like yourself. It befriends them, before luring them into some dark lair to feast upon them.

Felan tugged on her hand again, but with more urgency than before. Andrea pulled her hand abruptly back to her side. Felan looked at her, with startled and questioning eyes. Andrea shook her head, unable to speak. It was true then. Everything they had said was true. All doubt that had previously bothered her was gone. Felan really wasn't what he seemed to be. He really was the killer. 

Seeing her hesitation, Felan whined deep in his throat. Andrea realised then that he could sense her fear. She had to reassure him. She couldn't let him know that she knew.

"I'm scared of the dark" she muttered, giving an embarrassed laugh. "But never mind. Let's go, shall we?"

She spun around and began walking back through the forest, arms swinging by her side in a care-free way. After a moment, Felan trotted after her. Andrea glanced down at him as he slowed so that their paces matched. Their eyes met as he raised his head to look at her. Immediately they both looked away again. An awkward silence fell.

Andrea was too aware of how unnatural she was acting, but she no longer cared. She just wanted it all to be over and done with. Without realising it, her pace quickened. It wasn't until something trickled into her eye, causing her to lift her hand to wipe it away, that she realised she was drenched with perspiration. And only then, did she feel how hard her heart pounded within her chest. She wasn't afraid anymore. She was terrified.

Felan whined again, louder this time.

 Andrea had been standing rock still, staring at her sweat covered hand for several minutes. Andrea glanced at him then looked up. Before her was an overgrown road, with steep rock walls on either side.

Fool's Pass, thought Andrea, staring at it in wonder. It really was the perfect place. She stepped forward. In only a few minutes, it would all be over and done with. And she could go back to Harriet and explain everything. It would be easier telling her, if she had made up for it. Not that it would bring the young soldier to life, but at least he would be avenged and no one else would come to harm.

Setting her jaw determinedly, Andrea marched forward. Felan followed warily, his body pressing up against her. For a moment Andrea's resolution quavered. He was afraid. He knew something was off and yet he continued. 

Shrugging the thought away, Andrea fixed her eyes on a jumble of rocks that lay to one side of the pass. Mountain bandits had pushed them down onto an unsuspecting patrol long ago, Blade had told her. It was to these that she headed.
But as they got closer to the prearranged spot, Felan hesitated once more. Raising his head, he sniffed at the air cautiously. To Andrea's horror, she realized the wind had changed course. 

Felan froze and shied back. 

Acting fast, Andrea held out her hand. "It's okay, Felan. Come on, boy. Just trust me."

To her great relief, his foot moved forward as he slowly inched towards her. She bit down on her lip, as he hesitated again. He glanced around fearfully, then slowly looked back to her. His large brown eyes fixed onto her blue ones. 

The relief faded as Andrea found herself lost in his gaze. It was so trusting. And in that moment, the words she had once spoken to him, drifted back to her mind. I'll be your pack, if you will be mine.

"No!" Andrea sprang forward, her arm outstretched to shove him back.

But it was too late. The weighted net had already been dropped, pinning Felan beneath it. His petrified whimpers tore at Andrea's heart, causing her to turn away as the soldiers raced out from behind the rocks.

Blade strode forward, grinning with triumph. "Bind him well. And don't let him get away."

There was a sudden heart-rending wail and Andrea swung around. The men were beating the wolf to subdue him. The wolf struggled beneath the blows, eyes wide with pain and terror.

"No, don't hurt him. Please don't hurt him," begged Andrea, rushing forward. She was pulled back when someone grabbed her hand and drew her back. It was Blade.

"You did your job well, little one," he complimented with a smile. "Thanks to you, all the little village children can now play in peace."

A loud gasp sounded from behind them, causing them both to turn. The soldiers were drawing back in shock. Andrea's hand went to her mouth. Beneath the net in place of Felan, lay a bruised and battered boy, no older than herself. 

Raising her head, Andrea saw a large full moon shining through the branches of the trees above them. It was so big and bright, that Andrea had not even noticed that night had already fallen.

Blade's grinned widened. "Well, I never. Who would have thought the old man was right? Men, bind him fast and take him back to camp. I can assure you there will be gold and beer for all on our return."

The men cheered heartily and binding the boy's wrists behind his back, they began dragging him away. Just before they disappeared between the trees, the boy looked back over his shoulder. As Andrea's eyes met his, she knew the hurt and betrayed looked would haunt her for many nights to come. The men holding the boy captive, jerked him forward and out of sight. Blade turned to follow.

"No, wait!" screamed Andrea, grabbing Blade by the arm. "This wasn't meant to happen. You lied to me."

Blade shook her off him and shot her a taunting grin. "You're the one who believed it. That's your mistake, not mine. But don't worry, darling, no one needs to know."

He turned and followed his men. 

Left alone, Andrea dropped to her knees, staring down at the ground in a daze.

"I'm sorry, Felan," she whispered out loud. "I didn't know."