Filed To Story: Luna Riannon and Alpha Brayden Novel
“I’m sorry,” Salome shrugged. “It’s a very busy day for the Founders. I need to be over there with my people.”
“Isn’t your tribe your people?” Astrea pointed out, arching a brow.
“They are,” the witch wasn’t even looking at her anymore,” but the people of Solace are my family now.”
I regret you asked her, Nova imitated a gagging sound.
That makes two of us, Astrea scoffed.
“But if you want to find out about the founding of Solace, hurry in there!” Salome sneered, and the Dragonfly didn’t like that expression on her pretty face as she pointed behind her. “Old Magda is about to start her retelling. She was one of the first we took in and knows everything about us.
Astrea’s gaze followed a crowd of children on the square near what looked like a mini stage. An old woman was arranging something behind the curtains, and very soon, Astrea realised that she was about to start a puppet show.
That’s a first for us, Nova snorted. Let’s watch.
Astrea bought herself a cup of coffee from a nearby kiosk and stood at the back, leaning against an arch and watched the kids getting quiet. The old woman put a hat next to her improvised platform, and a few people immediately threw a few coins and banknotes inside.
A navy-blue fabric with silver stars was used as a backdrop, and Astrea found it pretty.
Pleasant Eastern music started playing from an old stereo on the ground as the old woman expertly manipulated the strings of the puppet show, bringing her two first characters to life, a lycan doll and a woman in a red dress.
It’s quite possible that we are going to hate this show, Nova pointed out.
No sh*t! Astrea inhaled through her nostrils but still decided to stay. Any information could be useful.
“Welcome, dear guests!” She said in a surprisingly resounding voice, grabbing the attention of everyone around. “It is the time of the month when we remember how this city was built. The place where even the loneliest of rejected souls can find peace and happiness. It all started when a special wolf and the kindest witch fell in love!”
“Say what?” Astrea spit her coffee back into the cup.
Astrea watched the show with a frown on her face.
What in the witch’s hallucinations is this? Nova snarled.
The best puppet show in town, the Dragonfly commented Enjoy what that…bi- I mean; witch Salome wants us to see.
“Long ago, deep in the desert, there lived a beautiful maiden unlike any other. For she was not only gifted with prominent beauty but also with great magical powers.” The woman’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned into the puppetry, coaxing the children’s imagination to new heights. There was no doubt that the doll in the red dress looked almost identical to Salome.
Astrea felt a twinge of revulsion rising in the pit of her stomach.
“Everyone in her tribe loved her, for she was the kindest and purest of souls.”
Oh, gods! Nova snickered as Magda went on.
“However, one fateful night, a marauding group of rogues descended upon her home, burning it to the ground and forcing the beautiful maiden to flee. The maiden ran with all her might, tears streaming down her face, as the men relentlessly pursued her, eager to inflict their cruel intentions and mercilessly take her in turns right in the middle of the desert. For every one of them wanted a piece of this beauty.”
Someone should probably tell them that this children’s show is not actually PG13, Nova commented dryly, and it took all Astrea’s willpower not to roll her eyes.
In the meantime, the doll in the red dress was running away from men in black who were screaming about how gorgeous she was to her fleeing back.
Typical rogue behaviour, the wolf scoffed again.
“Just when the maiden was about to surrender,” Magda continued in a grim voice, “a large wolf leapt out of the shadows, fiercely protecting her from imminent danger.”
A doll that was supposed to represent Fenrir appeared, and Astrea giggled for noticing how poorly it was made.
Is that an old sock? I bet he hates this show, she commented while Nova chuckled profusely.
“As the morning sun emerged, the maiden gasped in shock as the wolf turned into a tall and handsome man before her eyes!”
She’s probably the first witch who had never seen a werewolf before, Nova huffed another laugh. At least this is funny.
“But he was far from the kind gentleman she expected,” old
Magda raised her index finger into the sky.
There is our Fenrir! Astrea cheered. Finally there was a part of the story that looked believable.
“Rather, he was a lone wolf shifter with incredible magical powers who lived in solitary confinement in a cave and did not wish to see anyone. Only three brave warriors were guarding him day and night.”
The blue backdrop with silver stars was pulled away, replaced by an embroidered cave on a piece of canvas fabric.
“Despite his reluctance to allow her to stay, the maiden persisted, refusing to leave his side. She stayed by the cave together with the warriors, waiting for the wolf to accept them. Day and night, they slept in tents by the entrance until one day, in gratitude for their steadfast love and persistence, the wolf rewarded them by using his magical abilities, creating new homes with great haste to house his friends. And guess who got the house first?”
“Salome!” The children screamed in delight as Astrea rolled her eyes so hard it was almost painful. Did they listen to this piece of local folklore daily?
“Of course!” Magda grinned at her spectators. “Since he loved her the most, the maiden’s house was built first, and it also was the biggest one. It still stands to this day, watching over the entrance to Solace.”
“So, you’re saying it’s the furthest away from Fenrir’s mansion?” Astrea couldn’t help saying it out loud.
“Shh!” Some boy gave her a reproachful glare.
“What?” She looked at him innocently, quickly replacing that glance with a menacing’grin. “He wanted to get rid of her so much that he was ready to build her house. Just saying.”
The child’s face contorted in confusion, and she almost felt guilty about her words. Almost.
“Word quickly travelled that a new city was established in the middle of a kingdom that perished, and its name was Solace. New people arrived, accepted by the maiden, the wolf and the three warriors. The community soon grew, melting the cold wolf’s heart with their love and generosity, making him the protector of all the people who were once rejected. As the city grows in prosperity and graciousness, the wolf still protects it to this day. And the beautiful maiden, together with the three warriors, are always by his side.”
The crowd burst into applause, and Astrea clapped a few times too. Simply out of respect for the elderly.
“Magda,” one girl raised a hand, “is that story about Fenrir and Salome?”
“What do you think?” the old lady winked at her, implying that, of course, it was, and a wave of giggles erupted.
“Yes!”
“Of course!”
“They are perfect together!”
More and more praise of the happy couple sounded from every corner.
1 am going to throw up! Astrea announced, ready to leave.
Enough was enough.
“Are you done ruining the dreams of children?” Devoss appeared by his side wearing a dazzling emerald-green suit.
“Oh, one of the three great warriors, I assume?” She raised a brow at him, and the man’s smile faded.
“Actually no,” he shot an angry look at Magda, who reciprocated with narrowing her eyes, “the old hag doesn’t like me and she cut me out of the story.”
“Oh, I didn’t cut you out!” Magda let out an annoyed sigh. “
Here you are.”
She pointed somewhere near the Fenrir doll’s leg, and Astrea had to look closer to see a little dirty black fox sewn to it.
“I am not even gracing that with a response!” A frustrated sigh escaped Devoss’ chest, punctuating his displeasure with the situation.
“I am just concentrating on what was important!” The old woman was already packing her little theatre in a box as kids dispersed in the crowds.
Devoss mimicked her as he draped his hand around Astrea’s and pulled her away
“Seriously, what are you even doing here?”
“I was just-” She couldn’t find the right words to explain, still feeling the bitter aftertaste of Magda’s story. “Learning the history of Solace’s founding.”