Howling Thunder Book One Epilogue

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Visions in the Haze

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A mutt of an Anubi guard greets me at the entrance to the Witch’s tower, “Good evening Madam Hyndla, Goddess Inari has instructed me to ask you to wait here until her current meeting is finished.”

Bah! The awful woman is just doing this to spite me, standing pointlessly in a hallway of my own castle.

I give the mutt my best disapproving scowl, his black and orange furred ears tilt back a little, “Hmf, and just who is so important that she must make me wait?”

A voice calls out from the hallway beyond the red torii where we stand, “Oh just little old me Hildy dear.”

Aurelia is grinning from ear to ear as she rocks those ridiculous hips this way, her flashy outfit as revealing as always.

The dry tone of my voice can’t be helped, “A meeting of witches then?”

She rolls her eyes and flashes a grin at the slightly drooling guard, “Just having a chat about some concerning issues beyond the walls. Maybe if you spent less time organising silly events with the local snobs you’d have noticed a thing or two yourself.”

Oh really, “And yet you never seem to miss any of my events, you minx.”

Her grin drops, a visible ripple spreads on her golden gown, “Such a name doesn’t really flatter someone older than yourself. One of these days, you're going to anger someone who doesn’t view you as just another annoying relative...I heard you had a lovely chat with Freki.”

I can feel some of the blood draining from my face as I recall that nightmare, “How do you know about such a thing!”

Aurelia’s laughter has a bell like charm that could bring any man to his knees, “Next time I’m sure little Mauggy will find a bigger stick to pull out of your grey ass.”

She walks away, tail wagging behind that otherworldly figure. Leaving me to fume in my anger and the guard his line of drool.

Walking past the dazed fool, I head down the hallway which is of such a stark contrast to the architecture of the rest of the castle. The wooden floor and walls, the paintings comprised solely of black ink, red drapes and paper lanterns, the whole tower looks like it was disassembled from some oriental palace and rebuilt here.

The final door is flanked by two large dog statues, it opens before I even get near it.

A red haze drifts out with the voice of the Inari, “Come on in Hildy, it’s been at least a decade since our last lovely chat in private.”

Shivers race down my spine, I’d love to forget that occasion. When I had to convince her to sleep with Skoll.

Laughing once she calls out, “Begging on your knees against your every wish if I recall.”

Grimacing while I enter, “Madam Inari, I’d appreciate it if you stayed out of my head this time.”

The living goddess lays across a small bench, her pipe in one hand, a small white bottle in the other. Her seven red tails gently wagging, small pink flames are drifting around her like tiny dancers.

All at once the flames shift to white and spread out to rotate around the large circular room.

Despite this, the room actually gets darker, she sits up and blows smoke in my direction, “Hildy dear I’ve brought you to let you in on some lovely news.”

Knowing how to make this go faster and without incident I sit on my knees in front of her, back straight, making sure not to let my thoughts wander.

Out of the haze a seven tailed fox trots towards me, circling once and then disappearing into the haze once more.

Inari’s voice comes from somewhere behind me, “Both of the twins are expecting, two for Asta, boys, one for Sassa, a girl. Nemesis has already claimed rights to the first boy, the remaining pups are still being debated over. Nox’s Anubi mate will be having a girl, a neutral and ancient deity has requested this child to bless. No one will dispute him of course, it’s concerning that the pantheons didn’t object to his involvement on this plane.”

This is ridiculous, “Walther is the heir to the throne, how did this happen, surely even if it was his own child,”

The witch cuts me off, “Walty dear will follow Skoll, the fates of Olympus however seem adamant that his own children should not inherit the throne. Many threads seem to be tangled as of late for them. All the gods who watch over Yoden warn of chaos soon to come.”

With a gentle breeze the room clears of red haze, the Inari stands before me with all her tails alight in white flames.

“This will be your last warning Hilda Winter,” her voice deep, penetrating into my very soul, “You can no longer turn a blind eye to the misdeeds of the spoiled nobles in Yoden. The storm last month was the first of many, only through unity will our race survive the next great war, this era of peace is ending. You must do everything in your power to guide these new generations.”

Her tails fade away one at a time as she goes back to lounging in her sea of red cushions, “Now, a drink dear, or will you be calling it a night?”

This bitch,

She stares me down, “Sweet dreams tonight Hildy.”

Oh no…

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Pieces on the Board

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Once more I look over the balcony at the devastation of what was once a jungle village in the high tree tops. Massive corpses of the Garuda tribe remain scattered about the overgrown ground below.

Stretching throughout the trees are hundreds of webs, just hours ago they were still dripping with bloody feathers and poison ichor.

“Captain Fala, the stone is glowing.”

The Fox Bat girl lets me know with a bow.

My ears flick in irritation, “Set a course for anywhere that doesn’t smell like burning feathers. Send word to the general, he’s to head back toward that small range to the north and establish a short term strong hold. It will take a few weeks for the neighboring tribes to discover what happened here and worry themselves to death.”

Hopefully then they’ll just surrender instead of fighting to the last...such a damn waste.

As I walk towards my cabin I carefully look for any potential damage to the thrice damned air bags holding us up. Those huge birds nearly made these things into flying pincushions with that javelin attack. Crashing into a foreign jungle is not how I’d like to die.

My momentary comfort that can only be found on the seat of what would normally be considered a throne is cut short by another pulse of the stone mounted next to it.

As soon as my hand passes over it a young woman's voice calls out, “About time Fala, I assume things went well?”

I try not to sound in anyway annoyed or upset, “Yes, an example was made with minimal losses, soon your army will grow.”

“Fabulous, I wish things were that easy everywhere else.”

A small smile creeps on my face, “Trouble abound, Master?”

“Mmm, nothing I hadn’t taken into account. The Naga have served their purpose, they show no signs of being able to take the coast and I’m not about to show too many cards by helping them further. Meanwhile those featherheads in Yoden got ahead of themselves in panic. All the same, most of the obstacles there are now cleared. I even found some new options!”

Oh gods, she sounds excited, “What happened to the staff, that would have been of far more use here.”

The sound of soft laughter, “Don’t beat around the bush my little black lamb, you mean you want to know what happened to the egg. Well, I’m sure you’ll be pleased to hear that it is in the hands of the Inari. I’m sure the harpy girl will hatch to become a lovely young princess of Yoden...and when the city falls to my army I’ll chain her up and give her to you as a reward. We can make it a wedding present!”

As if I’ll ever let this monster shackle me to the bed of some demon!

My hooves grind the wood floor, “You’re still not concerned the Fenrir will catch you while you’re playing around in his city?”

This time she laughs loud and clear, “I’ve been here for three months and no one suspects a thing. Hmf, I doubt you’d even notice me if we met on the city streets! Anyway, be a good little behemoth and inform me once the next tribes make their choice, I’ve yet to convince that stubborn baron. It’s time to put a few of my other little plans into action.”

Light fades from the stone, if I could I would tear it out and throw it over the side of the ship.

My fist slams the arm rest and I slump back.

Perhaps… Just maybe, if that old baron hasn’t joined her than he may yet move against her.

Maybe my only chance is a drop of blood against the tide.

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The Other Wolf

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Far West of Yoden, along the coast that faces the sea which has yet to be crossed by any sane sailor, lies a hidden cove. Shielded from the ocean tides by jagged rocks and surrounded inland by a towering mountain range. This well protected valley is home to a barbaric tribe of humans.

They sail from their secluded port on raids along the entire coast line. Arriving in the mist, their attacks has spawned many legends of ghosts in the night. On the occasion they even raid further inland when the years suffer smaller yields from shoreline towns.

The hidden town is built like a fortress spreading out from the mountain side all the way to the boats docked in the cove. A considerable population to feed, these people have no room for mercy towards those that aren’t strong enough to fend for themselves.

A black raven flies down from the dark, cloudy skies. It circles the town, watching the raiders repair the boats, fur clad men fighting outside a tavern, women cleaning weeds from a graveyard featuring headstones depicting children.

With a flap of its wings it glides towards the massive log house at the head of the valley, a castle by some folk’s standards.

The grand hall is empty save for a man on a massive wooden throne. Tall enough to be mistaken for a giant, leather armor lined with black fur and white bones. The hands on the armrests betray his old age, his face hidden within a massive headdress. Black wolf fur covers his head and shoulders, connecting to a large, pale, wolf skull mask.

Yellow eyes, yet to lose their sharpness, watch as the raven gently lands on the back of the seat.

An aged and tired voice, “Why are you here old bird?”

Instead of a normal caw, a high pitched voice cackles out, “Awe Greki, it is a treat to see you again as well. It’s been what, two thousand years? You look well!”

A pain stabs at the old man’s chest, his heart has been his constant reminder of his shrinking years as of late.

Greki carefully considers his next words, with a respectful tone, “I’ve had more enjoyable years, why does a high god deem it worth the risk to visit someone on this plane?”

The raven chuckles, “The others won’t notice me missing for a couple hours. Your father has grown impatient with this world, he is already looking to make an early claim on a new one.”

Despite his feeble health, the old warrior hides his shock. Failing to win this world for Valhalla could be said to be in large part his fault.

However, “It seems too soon to give it up, Earth realm was fought over for much longer than this one has been.”

With a hop, the raven lands on Greki’s leg, “I’ve watched, it’s smart to cut a deal and look ahead. Odin has acted with wisdom befitting my gift to him. Which brings us to my purpose here. I’m prepared to put forth your name for further ascension based on the merits from the ripples of your actions on Terra, I’ll even give this rotting corpse you call a body a few of it’s years back.”

Greki has played the game long enough to know how this works, “Again, what are you after...what do you ask of me.”

A third eye opens on the bird’s forehead, “Your sister is being a brat, she shares blame with you in the outcome of this realm. Even now she has named a champion in order to hunt you down.”

Laughing with a slight wheeze, Greki smiles beneath his skull mask, “At least my final days with this mortal body will have some action. Silly for her to hold a grudge this long, but I saw a chance and I took it, neither her or I were going to get anywhere with half baked plots.”

The three eyed raven nods, “Too true, you are just dogs. Now, this champion, his soul came from Earth realm. One of the other high gods had to of had a hand in it. I want to know who is messing with my Valhalla. Fight him like your sister wants, test his limits, you may even cooperate with that missy attempting to make a name for herself in the east. We’ll draw out this other high god and see him punished for sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong.”

Greki mulls over these words, he knows the raven never speaks the whole truth.

He sighs, “Of course it will be done. Now, you mentioned returning this body to youth?”

Another caw and cackle, “I’ll grant you that and more, you’ll need a portion of your powers unsealed, you know the price.”

Greki reaches up and pulls back the wolf skull, his hands move with a surprising quickness. A short grunt is the only sound as he plucks out his left eye.

Even as the blood pools in his palm, he watches as the eyeball fades to dust and the muscles in his hand regain their youthful vigor.

As strength fills his body once more he laughs so loud it echoes out of the hall and into the town as a seemingly normal raven flies up into the clouds.

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Back to the east, not too far from Yoden, in a castle on a cliff overlooking a large river. A short yell sounds as a man is bound and gagged from his bed. His attempts to resist passing harmlessly through his assailant as if he wasn’t really there.

Guards burst into the room, “Is everything alright Your Lordship?!”

The lord seems fine, sitting in his bed, reading a book by candlelight, “Of Course! Just this awful book, get out of my room already!”

While failing to find anyone else in the room the guards bow and exit.

Something bangs against the underside of the bed.

The man puts down the book and chuckles, “Easy now Your Lordlyness, you just relax and let me take care of things from now on.”

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Special Preview in celebration of Howling thunder and Animus storm book 1’s end! The word count comes in at over 80,500!

Presenting the teaser for Part 2 of Animus Strom: Electro-Crusade

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A short jingle signals the start of a news program.

Two people, a man and a woman stand at a desk in suit and dress.

The man, “Good Morning London, today we have a special guest coming in later to chat with us about her revolutionary VR game!”

His co anchor, “Thats Virtual Reality folks, although kids might be calling it something else already, times change so fast in this modern age!”

He chuckles, “2175 has been a year for the history books indeed. Now I’m happy that Miss Artura has agreed to come on.”

The woman, “Absolutely, I was shocked she could give us the time considering this massive launch of brand new technology alongside the game announcement, and the terrorist threats that have surrounded the controversial subject matter.”

Giving a solemn nod, the man looks into the camera, “Indeed, we’ll be going to the streets this morning to take some viewer questions to be asked during the interview so let's have some good ones folks. We’ll have that as well as more on the mentioned threats from the more radical Christian and Catholic communities, coming up, on Channel 300: London Morning News.”

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