The Hunted Hunters (Kadyr)

[Jane Minark]

Jane clutched her bow tighter, wondering why in all of Olympius did she agree to this. It wasn't that she was scared, she had been in so many situations way more dangerous than this, it was just... It wasn't sensible. Here she was, in the middle of the forest with a man she barely knew when she could be doing something far more productive.

Her lack of productivity wasn’t the only thing which bothered her. In fact, it seemed miniscule compared to her other problem. Her growing fondness of Kadyr was getting to strong; she enjoyed his company too much. Whenever he was around, she felt a slight flutter of excitement in her stomach and aching sense of disappointment when he left. Jane couldn’t fall in love. She wouldn’t. She refused to let her mother’s gruesome fate be her own.

The woman knelt on the dirt floor and touched the faint hoof print that had been left in the mud. Despite her worries, it was a beautiful day for hunting. The sun warmed the cold winter air and a stiff breeze tousled the few loose strands from Jane’s braid. She wished she could enjoy it more.

Jane stood and examined the area for more signs of life then stop suddenly; a cold feeling had fallen upon her neck, the feeling of being watched. She instantly knew that what ever it was not friendly. Slowly, she turned round, raising her bow and preparing to fire. Two cold yellow eyes met hers and a snarl met her ears.

The thing ran towards her, Jane screamed and fired, hitting it squarely between the eyes. A beautiful shot, which she would have admired, had 6 more creatures stepped from the woods. They were wolves.

‘Kadyr!’ she screeched, putting another arrow on the string and firing once more.

[Kadyr Ahriman]

A huge sense of freedom washed over him as he slowly made his way through the woods. After a week of negotiations that often left him with a headache was finally over, and he still had three weeks left of leave.
He had persuaded Jane to go hunting with him, and sweetened the deal by making it a competition; something a women like her could not turn down. He had a soft spot for Jane, she was unlike any women he had met. It was because of this that he didn't return to Sydien straight away, her company was all that kept him in Olympa.
Kadyr knew that it was foolish; he had to return home eventually and once he did it was very likely that he would not see Jane again for a very long time. He pushed that thought away, live today while you still have it is what his mother would tell him.
He raised his bow to take down a stag when he heard Jane screech. It startled the stag but he didn't care; she sounded unnaturally panicked.
He replaced the arrow back in his quiver and slung his bow over his shoulder as he darted in the direction it had come from. He picked up the sent of wolves and he felt a spike of worry as he drew closer. He spotted her, then saw the pack; too many too take down by herself. He could tell that those weren't the only wolves around, they usually hunted in packs of at least 6 and as far as he could tell there were about 9 hanging around in the area, including the few that could be seen.
He bit his lip; both of them together could not take all of them down and Jane would not be able to outrun them. He, however, could get rid of them... but at what cost.
After a moments hesitation he knew he had no choice. He saw one of the wolves lunge at her. Within seconds he had shifted, and he leapt at the wolf before it could hit Jane.
Kadyr had dark fur; brownish black with hints of gold that tinged the tips of it in some places. His muzzle clamped around the wolfs neck and he continued to apply pressure until he heard a cracking sound that indicated that it had snapped. He dropped its limp body and turned on the rest of the pack, golden eyes flashing dangerously as he snarled at them.
Two of them darted off at once, while the remaining three ran forward to attack him. He slashed one with his claws while one jumped on his back. Luckily for him the majority of his hunting and fighting gear were altered to allow him to shift, and so despite the fact that the wolf had dug its claws into his shoulder it was impeded by his armour. Kadyr swivelled his neck around and seized the wolf in his jaws before tossing it away where it collided with a tree and didn't move.
The two remaining wolves evidently thought better of it and ran off with their tails between their legs. HE narrowed his eyes as he watched them, knowing that the rest of the pack may be nearby. Kadyr raised his head and howled, making sure that they would not come back.
He went down onto all fours, and turned to look at Jane, fearing her reaction.

[Jane Minark]

Jane's hands shook violently as she put an arrow to the string and raised her bow to fire once more. Her horrible suspicion was confirmed when she looked into those golden brown eyes; Kadyr was one of them. Why did the only man she had ever fallen for have to be a werewolf, he was just like her father. And yet... She couldn't bring herself kill him.

The arrow she loosed whizzed above the wolf's head. Jane felt hot tears stream down her cheeks. Why her? Why couldn't she just have a normal life? Why did any pleasantries she experienced have to be taken and crushed? She should have just refused the emperor and taken her place on the gallows after she killed her father. At least then she would be with her mother and brother.

Staring at Kadyr brought back images of her father standing over the broken bodies of her family. She couldn't take it anymore. She picked up a rock and tossed it at him.

'Turn back! I know it's you! Just turn back and stop staring at me!'

[Kadyr Ahriman]

The rock hit him just above his eyes, leaving a gash. He shook his head and whimpered before shifting back.
Her reaction felt as if someone had driven a knife through his chest and twisted it just for the sake of causing more pain. The cut above his eye stung painfully, but he didn't care at that moment. He wiped it with the back of his hand to stop the blood from going into his eye.
He stood barefoot looking at her. "Jane... I-I told you, on the first day, that you wouldn't like the answers to the questions you asked" he lowered his eyes to the floor. "Do you know what the word Drva means?" he asked her quietly. "Because I told you my mother was of the Drva before I knew what you did, but you didn't react so I guessed you didn't know"
His voice became slightly bitter as he went on "I know what you Olympians are like, and thats why the Emperor put me in your charge. That is why my mother left Olympius"
He sighed, but didn't lift his gaze from the ground; "I am still me"

[Jane Minark]

'Maybe to you, but not to me! I never knew you, I only knew the bloody charade you put on. And I cannot believe I let it fool me! You should have told, straight from the beginning. You're just like he was!' Jane yelled she picked up another rock and tossed it. The flying stone came to an abrupt halt when it hit a tree to their left with a loud crash.

'You asked me, the first day we met, you asked me about my parents. I think maybe I should tell you. You obviously don't understand!' She took a deep shaking breath, trying in vain to regain some of her composer. 'My father was just like you. Handsome, clever and a lying deceiving wretch. He was one of your cursed kind, too.

'Could you imagine waking up one morning and finding your beloved mother lying on the floor, dead? Not just dead either, completely and utterly mutilated and destroyed, hardly even recognizable as a human being. Well, I don't have to. It wasn't just her, either. It was my brother to.' The tear came in earnest now. Jane paused for a minute, taking in several sharp, shaking breaths.

'And he stood there over them, laughing. I knew he did it, why else did he have blood on his hand and face.' A haunted quality took over her voice and filled her eyes. 'There was so much blood. Everywhere. And the smell... I can still smell it, still see it. Even now, all the deaths I've seen, there has never been so much of it.' She stopped again and roughly wiped the tears from her eyes.

'And then he came for me. I knew he meant to do the same thing. So I killed him. Stabbed him with a kitchen knife. I didn't want to die like them. I didn't want to die at all. Though, it seems as I had only trade one death for another. I should have just let them hang me.'

[Kadyr Ahriman]

Kadyr shook his head, "some men truly have evil in their heart. Not all are like him though, the Drva are not like that. The Myriad are followers of Hauravatat, they are corrupt and want nothing more than to destroy... though I suppose, to put it scientifically: not everyone can cope with Lycanthropy, and your father must be like that. Some can control it, like me, and use it only when needed. We also lock ourselves away at the full moon to shield others from harm".
He took a step towards her "honestly, to all of us are like your father! He did a horrific thing, one that deserved the punishment he got, but I am not like that. I have grown up with it, my mother taught me how to use it" he told her with a lsightly pleading tone. "I can even remember things from the full moon. Soon I should be able to control it during those times" he added.
He reached out to her and tried to grab her hand.

[Jane Minark]

Jane stiffened as Kadyr tried to take her hand, but let him anyways. She had lost the will to resist any longer. Not for the first time, she wished her mother was still alive. She longed for her guidance and counsel. How desperately she needed someone to tell her to do in times like this.

'I took the offer because I wanted revenge , you realize. And because I was afraid. I didn't want to die. Now though... I neither want revenge or death, so I continue, telling myself every morning that what I do is good, that I'm saving people from the pain I felt. But it's a lie. I'm a murder, I'm the one who causes pain. Every life I take make me more like him. I can hear the gods laugh at my hypocrisy. And yet... Your here... Why? What do you want Kadyr? Why do you toy with me like this!'

Jane felt more tear run down her face, yet she didn't wipe them away, she knew more were to come.

A feeling of defeat crept upon her. Why didn't she listen to her instincts this morning? She knew that coming to day was not a good idea, yet still she came. She knew she should have cut off any unprofessional connections with this man, yet still she cultured the feelings she had. And it had only brought her more pain.

[Kadyr Ahriman]

Kadyr shrugged, "same reason your here. I like you, more than I probably should, but I do. And I know you must like me, otherwise you wouldn't be so distraught" he told her simply.
He then let her hand go and took a step back, lifting his eyes to meet hers. "If you want me to go, I will leave and, if you wish it, I won't come back. But I have never met someone like you; never loved a woman like this. But I don't want my presence to pain you" he said, not dropping his gaze.
He wouldn't be the same if she sent him away, but he'd be happy knowing she was happier without him there. He then dropped his gaze from hers as he said "if you are not happy here, you could come with me. My mother would train you as a nurse if you wished it, then spend your life healing. You could travel; we can afford travel costs if you wanted to visit different places...
Do not think I am trying to change the subject of what I am. I am a werewolf, Jane Minark. A lycanthrope, drva, moon-shifter. Whatever you wish to call it, that is what I am. If you cn get past that, then you wouldn't have to suffer anymore"

[Jane Minark]

Jane knew that if she told him to go, she would regret it but she fear that if he stayed she would also regret it. Her mind urged her to give into her fear and let him leave but her heart screamed at her to risk it. All her life, she had followed fear and logic. Never once had she trusted her feelings and what she knew to be right.

" And if you wish it, I won't come back..." Those words played ein her mind over and over again. Did she really want to lose the only man she had ever loved because of pride and fear? But then again... Did she want to risk everything for a complete stranger?

Again, memories of her mother came back. This time it was not of her torn body but of her telling Jane of how much she loved her husband. How treacherous love seemed to be. It tempted in the weary travelers of life with its sweet promises then betrayed them and took everything, hearts, souls, minds, and even lives.

Jane studied the ground for a minute, think of how she would answer. Could she get pasted the fact that he was a werewolf? If she couldn't, did that mean that she didn't love him or didn't deserve him... Or both? She looked him in the eyes again. She really like his eyes, they were beautiful, even now. She looked hard, trying to find even a speck of that madness which her father had had, but could find none.

‘Kadyr… If I… If I told you to stay now… But what if things don’t work?’ Jane sighed. ‘I don’t know what to do…’

[Kadyr Ahriman]

"Then we move on" was all he said as he pulled her towards him. He was still unsure as to what she thought of him, he hoped that she did not fear him for what he was.
"Do you trust me?" he asked her as he held her, savouring every moment he was near her.

[Jane Minark]

Jane felt a flutter in her stomach as Kadyr pulled her close to him. She couldn't help but think how nice it was to be in his arms. How could it feel so wonderful to be with him, a creature which she had feared for over half of her life? Of all the men to fall in love with...

But did she trust him? Could she overcome that nagging fear in the pit of her soul? Could she hurt him if she had to, if things didn't work out for them? What would people think? How would things turn out? Did she trust him?

In the end it all came down to that one question. Could Jane let go of her fears and prejudices and trust Kadyr? She could at least try. And if things didn't work out... They would cover that when they got there. If they got there.

'Kadyr.' She began slowly, thinking carefully of how to phrase her dilemma. She reluctantly pulled away so that she could look him in the eyes. 'If I were to say that I trust you right now, at this exact moment in time, I would be lying. But... I want to trust you. I have ten years of prejudice and fear to overcome... Are you really willing to deal with this?'

[Kadyr Ahriman]

Kadyr smiled, "I would do anything for you, me'lady" he told her before cupping her face in his hands and kissed her.

[Jane Minark]

Jane's stomach jumped as Kadyr's lips met her own. For a moment, she considered pulling away and impressing on him that she was being serious, then decided against it. The moment was so perfect, she never wanted it to end and yet, at the same time, she did. That same nagging fear held onto her, despisers her desperate attempts to shake it. Never before had she felt so keenly for a man, nor had she ever wanted to feel like this.

She let herself enjoy Kadyr's kiss for a few moments before reluctantly pulling away. She smiles at him and gently ran her fingers over his handsome face.

After a few moments, she grew serious again and looked him in the eyes. 'You say it so easily and yet... Do you realize what your getting yourself into. I don't think I could take more disappointment, Kadyr. Do you understand. Really?'

[Kadyr Ahriman]

Kadyr sighed and bit his lip. "Nothing is ever set in stone, Jane. Things may not work out, they may end up being amazing. You just have to be willing to risk it" he told her. He hated the thought that things could go wrong, but he wasn't prepared to ponder it too much.
The issue that was nagging him was what would happen when he returned to Sydien; he doubted she would move to live with him. He could not move to Olympius; it was only his high ranking status that stopped anyone within the palace arresting him for being a werewolf. They had to decide what they were going to do... if they really wanted to be with each other.

[Jane Minark]

Risk was something Jane hated; it scared her more than death. And yet, losing Kadyr also scared her. It occurred to her that, she could not have him forever. He would leave for Sydien soon and she would remain her. She had to, or did she?

He couldn't remain here. He was a werewolf, and know doubt the Emperor knew it. If he stayed, Jane would be forced to choose between killing him or killing herself. Leaving her home though... It scared her too.

Why did everything which surrounded him have to be associated with fear? Why did she have to risk so much to be with him? Why could nothing be easy?

'What is Terracto like, Kadyr?' she asked, without thinking. It occurred to her that his people would not be very willing to take in one like her.