Kraven Amberwood (Part 4)

(Part 4)

            Kraven was back on the river bank. Melvin and his friends were throwing stones at him again. Kraven looked back and saw John standing there helpless and bleeding. A drop of blood fell to the floor and as it hit the surface the splash seemed to move in slow motion. When Kraven looked back at Melvin, they were already stranded and wriggling in vain up in the newly sprouted trees. Kraven looked down and saw his broken reflection in the fast moving river. His hair was longer and flowing in the wind. Kraven would have fallen backwards if he could control his current form. His black irises were shining green and his body seemed like it wasn’t exactly human anymore. Apparently John had left out a few details. Kraven now resembled something closer to a wild animal than a human. His ears were long and pointed, his arms were longer, and his fingers were stretched and had nails that were thick and sharp. His legs were changed as well but much more drastically. The knees were bent the other way and looked very similar to a dog’s knee. His toes were thicker and for some reason he was standing on them instead of his full foot. The biggest change, however, was that behind his legs, were two long and somewhat bushy tails. Kraven tried to speak so that he could work this all out, but couldn’t even open his mouth. Then suddenly his reflection in the waters started to move further away, and the farther his reflection was the darker it got. Eventually it was completely dark and Kraven was alone. But as readily as he arrived in the dark solitude, he ended up in a small clearing in a forest. There was a small hut in the back of the clearing and in the middle was an old man smoking a pipe sitting around a smoldering fire. Kraven found his body moving towards the man and as he got closer the man looked up. The man said to Kraven, “I have been expecting you Kraven Amberwood.” After saying this, the man smiled, his eyes flashed green, and Kravens sight was then blocked by a flock of ravens.

            Kraven awoke yelping in pain. Tabris had the tips of his claws buried in Kraven’s stomach causing blood to drip down his side. Kraven looked down his chest and gave Tabris a stern look. Tabris explained his action, “You were shaking drastically, so I thought I should wake you up.” Kraven rolled his eyes, and didn’t say anything because he knew Tabris wouldn’t change his brutal way of doing things. However, Marren was more stubborn than Kraven and spoke up, “You could have tried a different method like, oh I don’t know… Barking like the dog that you are?!” Marren quickly took flight, for the spot he had previously occupied was now filled with sharp teeth.

            Kraven ignored both of them and tried to remember what happened in his dream. He remembered most of the dream; the important parts at least. Kraven just sat there on the forest ground thinking while Tabris chased Marren around. Kraven was confused, for he knew that dreams only formed based off of prior events and people and places that have been seen. The first part of the dream was a perfect example of this, but he couldn’t understand why, or rather how, he managed to dream about a place he had never seen before. Kraven was stumped, so he decided to call over Tabris and Marrenand explain his dream to them.

Marren was the first to give his insight, “Well, obviously, this is a sign for you to follow, Kraven. We must find this man and have him tell you about your past and who you are.” Tabris was next to follow, “I think force is the best way to get this information. I think after losing a few fingers to my stomach, his tongue should loosen.” Kraven responded, “Yes I think we should find this man. He must know at least a little bit about who I am, although, chewing off his fingers is a bit extreme to-” A branch snapped. All three of them stopped what they were doing and turned their attention towards the sound hidden in the darkness. 

Kraven Amberwood (Part 3)

(Part 3)

Kraven, Tabris, and Marren arrived at John’s house shortly after they departed their own. John was waiting outside reading a book. He had long brown hair tied up in a pony tail, and was of average height. He was very thin, and didn’t have a lot of muscle because of all the studying his father made him do. As Kraven approached him, John did not look up. Kraven stopped a few feet from where John was sitting. They stayed like that for a while until John adjusted his glasses and said, “You’re late.” John closed his book and then laughed. Kraven sighed with relief for he thought John was actually mad at him. Kraven and John ran down to the nearby river where Tabris and Marren had already snuck off to.

Sometime later, two girls from the village, Julia and Morgan, walked down the bank of the river. Kraven and John stopped playing when they saw the two girls. Morgan spoke first, “Hi Kraven, we were just wondering if you could call upon some animals so we can see them up close and pet them. Deer are my favorite animals.” Kraven looked at John who was pale. John knew that these two girls were the most beautiful in the whole town and they were standing right in front of him. Kraven on the other hand, didn’t think of them as beautiful, only as people. Although Kraven was very smart and strong, he was incredibly naïve. John nodded in approval of the girls’ request. Kraven made some strange sounds and a pack of deer came out from behind some bushes. The girls giggled with happiness. But then disaster struck.

The deer perked their ears and sprinted off shortly after the girls began petting them. Kraven and his companions soon found out why. Melvin, the governor’s son, and his gang of boys floated down the river on a large raft. As they approached Kraven and his friends, the gang paddled over to the bank and tied the raft to a branch. Melvin and his 5 friends stood directly in front of Kraven, and Melvin did not look pleased. He spoke loudly, “Now what is the poor, cursed boy, and the rich, scholar’s son doing, talking to my girlfriend, Julia.” Kraven was unsure why he was mad and responded, “We were just talking. What’s wrong with that?” Melvin, who was easily angered, and now furious, screamed, “Everything! No one is ever allowed to speak with her unless I say so!” and then he picked up a rock and threw it at Kraven. The other boys soon followed by example and also began throwing rocks. Tabris had already left, chasing Marren down the river; so they couldn’t help. And John, Julia, and Morgan were too weak to help. Kraven, however, just stood there, taking the blows.

Eventually even his strong body began to bruise and bleed. But Kraven just stood there smiling and the more he smiled, the madder Melvin got. John, weak as he was, still tried to help. He picked up a large tree branch and ran at Melvin. He tripped, however, when he was only a few steps away, landing right at Melvin's feet. Melvin and the other boys laughed. John struggled to get up but Melvin placed his foot on John's head and shoved it to the ground causing a small pool of blood to gather right under John's face. Melvin lifted up his foot to deliver another blow, but then a thunderous boom cracked through the air. Kraven’s green eyes shone brightly, the earth shook, and the wind started to flow around him. Trees sprouted from the ground, as if by magic, lifting Melvin and his friends into the air. A few moments later Kraven awoke from his trance and was shocked to see his attackers in the newly formed trees. Melvin and the boys were whimpering in fear and Kraven just stood there confused. Julia and Morgan had fled while the boys were throwing rocks so Kraven could only see John’s shocked and bloody face.

John told Kraven what happened soon after and Kraven too was surprised. Kraven knew that he came from within the Grand Forest, which held many mysteries, but he didn’t know how he did what he did. However, he was curious to find out. He knew that the matter with Melvin and his friends would not go unchallenged so he decided to do the town’s people and himself a favor; he would leave the town and venture into the forest to find out about his past and his strange powers. John would have to stay with his father, but Tabris and Marren could come. Feros was old but he knew that Kraven would eventually leave home and was prepared to manage on his own. Kraven set off on his journey the next day with Tabris and Marren on each side, and a pack filled with food and clothes. He was ready to find the truth.

Kraven Amberwood (Part 2)

(Part 2)

           Kraven awoke from his sleep. He brushed his fingers through his thick, shiny, black hair and wiped the sweat from his forehead. It had been 16 years since his adoptive father, Feros, took him under his wing. Kraven now was around 6 feet tall with a slim, but muscular figure. He had rough hands and feet, and a dark tan from working outdoors everyday. His most distinguishable feature, however, was his eyes; the iris was just as black as the pupil. 
           Light was pouring into the room and Kraven just sat there enjoying the sunrise. Kraven’s eyes soon widened and he quickly jumped out of bed. He was late. He had to finish his chores before he went down to town to fix a roof for Drake Forreson; the father of his friend John. He slipped on his clothes and ran out the door. There was no time for breakfast that morning despite his growling stomach. At least he thought his stomach was growling.

            On his way to open the gate, so that the cattle could graze, a large wolf, almost twice the size of Kraven, jumped off the roof and landed gracefully in front of him. It had a sleek, silvery black coat and large golden eyes. Kraven stopped in his tracks. The wolf got lower to the ground, and Kraven braced himself. The wolf pounced, knocking Kraven down to the ground. The wolf slowly inched himself closer to Kraven’s head until they were face to face. And then the wolf wagged his tail and licked Kraven’s nose with his large red tongue.

Kraven smiled and laughed, “Tabris, stop, you’re too heavy!” Tabris stopped licking and jumped off of Kraven and sat patiently and innocently as if he had done nothing at all. Kraven dusted himself off and said, “Now are you going to help me herd the cattle this morning or are you going to make me run again?” Tabris looked at the cattle and then back at Kraven and then lay down. Kraven was desperate to make up for lost time, so he tried to bribe Tabris, “You know, if you had helped me herd the cattle, I would have taken you to the sea tomorrow to chase the fish.” Tabris perked his ears, and Kraven knew he had him in the palm of his hand, “But I guess since you don’t want to help, I could always take Marren.” Tabris growled at the name and quickly got to his feet and began running towards the gate. Marren was another pet of Kraven’s although it was not a wolf, but a small raven with a white dot on its beak. Marren and Tabris constantly tormented each other, but never to the point of actually causing the other harm. At least, not too much harm. However, while Kraven and Tabris opened the gate, two pairs of eyes watched them from afar.

Feros and Drake stood at the entrance of Feros’s house. Drake spoke first, “You have a fine son there. I am very pleased that my son enjoys his company. He is the first person I believe, that actually likes my son for who he is and not for the money and title that we posses. I also hope, that perhaps your son would inspire John to become more like a scholar like me.” Feros nodded his head and responded, “I am forever in your debt for teaching John about the world and how to read and write. He has always wanted to study, and when you came along and offered a helping hand, how could I refuse to let him. From what Kraven has told me, your son loves the books you write and the experiments you do, however, he doesn't feel that it is the life for him. He wants adventure. I also must request that you not tempt Kraven with your science. I would hate for him to learn the art that causes the destruction of the nature that he loves so much.” Drake shifted his glasses and said, “Yes, I understand, I will not lure him to the world of science. It’s a shame though, for he has the magnificent gift of being able to understand animals to such a level that he can communicate with them, and I would so love to understand how this power came to be.” “I am again, thankful,” said Feros, “that you, John, and I all see his power as a gift unlike most of the townspeople who view it as a curse.” Drake had a look of remorse on his face, for he knew that the village boys tormented Kraven on a daily basis, so he spoke comforting words to Feros, “Don’t let the town get on your nerves, for most of the people here will believe anything you tell them. They would even believe ludicrous rumors such as witchcraft. Now before I leave, please tell Kraven that he does not have to fix the roof today; he can do that tomorrow. I would much rather that he spend a beautiful day like today outside with my son, John, rather than hammering the top of a roof.”

Drake tipped his hat and walked down the path to his manor in his own private sector of the town. About an hour later, Kraven returned with Marren perched on his shoulder and Tabris at his side. After Feros told him about how his day was to be spent, Kraven said goodbye and ran out of the house. It was about 5 miles to John’s house, and he was exhausted from running around herding the cattle. Kraven looked at Tabris, “What do you say Tabris, do you want to help me out here again?” Tabris growled and then said, “Fine. Get on my back. You are just lucky that you and I are such great friends otherwise the answer would be no.” Marren then chimed in, “You shouldn’t help because Kraven is your friend; you should help because you want to help.” Tabris barked and Marren flapped his wings. Kraven intervened, “Stop it! Both of you! Now let’s go.” Kraven jumped onto Tabris’s back and as soon as Marren took flight, Tabris galloped away at full speed.

Part one of one of my short stories

Kraven Amberwood

(Part1)

            The man stood alone in the dark. It had just begun raining and all he had to light his work was the dim shine from the stars between the clouds. A sheep was standing next to him, tied to a post in the cold evening air. He paused to put his hood up and to listen to the rain drops splash off his head. The white sheep bleated to complain about the freezing rain which caused the man to return from his drifting thoughts. He slowly raised his axe and kept it up in the air to gather the strength in his arms. The sheep bleated again, this time perhaps out of fear. The axe swung. Chop. The wood that the man was cutting, split in half and fell to the ground.

            The man’s name was Feros Kailer. He lived in a large hut on the outskirts of town bordering the Grand Forest. He was a young, simple farmer who lived a normal life; that is, until that fateful night when he was chopping the fire wood.

            Feros picked up the pieces of lumber and threw them onto a large stack of similarly cut wood. The sheep was his companion that evening, for Feros hated being alone when nightfall was coming. But then he heard a noise. It was a sound that he could not place. It was a single note suspended in air yet it sounded like a symphony was being played. Feros looked around frantically trying to figure out where the sound was coming from. And then finally he realized the soft melody was emitting from deep within the forest. Feros, as if in a trance, walked beneath the towering trees and entered the Grand Forest.

            Sometimes the sound would get quiet and Feros would panic in fear of losing the sweet music. But then he would find the direction the sound was coming from and he would follow it again. After about an hour had passed, however, the sound began to get louder. Feros began traveling with haste, eager to find out what could possibly make such a beautiful sound. Eventually the sound became unbearably loud, so much so that Feros almost went insane, but then the sound stopped and he tripped and fell into a small clearing. Feros got up while clutching his arm, for he had scraped it when he fell. But then he looked up and saw something on the opposite side of the clearing. Now even further curious, he slowly walked over to what appeared to be a pile of leaves woven together in the form of a blanket. Feros bent over and examined the strange item. It was a small sack with only enough room to hold a loaf of bread. As he sat there in a crouched position he almost fell over, for the sack began to move. It was then that Feros realized that something living was inside the bag. Cautiously, he removed the material that covered the top of the sack and to his surprise, found a new born baby inside.

            The baby was sleeping but as Feros picked up the baby with his large, rough, farmer’s hands, it began to stir. The baby quickly blinked its eyes and stared at Feros. Feros in turn stared back. And then for some reason, the baby began to smile. Feros returned a smile, but then frowned when he saw something shine in the branches of the trees that surrounded them. He looked around some more and saw that everywhere he looked something was shining. Suddenly the small fractures of light began to move and then Feros saw what they were. Now circling around them were ravens; there were hundreds of them. And sometime between when he left his house and when he found the baby, the sky had cleared, causing the light from the bright and silvery moon to glint off of the wings of the many ravens. It was truly the most beautiful thing that Feros had seen. He looked down to see if the baby was watching, and to his shock, found that the baby was not only watching, but laughing happily. And then Feros thought of something, “Now before I take you back to my house, surely you must have a name that I can call you by?” Feros then noticed that the baby had a necklace around its neck and that there was a small piece of wood with the letter “k” attached to the necklace. “Ah, this must be your first initial, now what could the rest of it be?” Then it struck Feros, “Hm, perhaps I shall call you Kraven?” The baby looked up when Feros said the name. Feros smiled. “Kraven it is then.”

***