Chapter 3.

Felicia

I heard Gregor come in just before dawn. He brought with him the scent of cool mountain air and the crisp citrusy scent of crushed pine needles. He milled around for a moment or two, putting his things away it sounded like. I heard something clatter to the floor and he uttered something sharp under his breath. 

“It’s alright, I'm awake,” I said. 

“Ah. I'm sorry I was trying to be quiet.” 

“I have breakfast to make anyway,” I said smiling to myself. I wondered if he realized he treated me more like his guest than his servant. But I wasn't going to bring it to his attention. 

“I brought some herbs and fresh eggs.”

I came from behind the curtain dressed and ready for my day. He handed me a leather satchel containing the supplies he had mentioned. 

“Wonderful, I'll have breakfast done in a jiffy.” 

“Did you sleep alright?” he asked while I worked in the kitchen. 

“Well, to be honest, no.” I laughed nervously. “I guess I'm not used to things in the wilds.”

“What things?” he frowned at me quizzically. 

“Like a giant red wolf howling outside the window.” 

“You saw the red wolf?” 

He seemed very pleased with that information. 

“Yes. He was right outside.” 

Gregor laughed and slapped his leg in boyish glee. “He hasn't been around for a while. Matter of fact I thought he was dead.” 

“You speak of him like he is a friend of yours?” 

“Of sorts, yes. This Valley belongs to him more than anyone else.” 

“Why do you say that?”

“He has been here a long time. His pack protects the Valley from intruders.”

“Intruders?” I felt a shiver run down my spine. “Will he see me as an intruder?”

“No, he’ll know you're my guest.” 

“How?” I turned around, a cooking utensil still in my hand. 

Gregor looked at me for a moment. He seemed to be mulling something over in his mind. “Just trust me. He won't hurt you.” 

I narrowed my eyes at him. “He is a wolf.” 

“Yes, and his name is Alfus. I promise he won't hurt you.” Gregor looked at me. His eyes almost pleading for me to just accept what he said. I decided to humor him for the time being, but I wanted to know so many things about this strange man and strange place that had come into my life. But my instincts told me I needed to go slowly. 

Gregor:

I lay awake for quite some time, listening to Felicia bustle about the house. She was curious but, I suppose most people would have been in her situation. But so many things about my life could put her in such grave danger, I could not afford to let her know too much. She was particularly interested in Alfus and the wolf pack. But to tell her that story would have given too much away. 

I wonder whether or not I should arrange for her to have another position somewhere safe. But then I didn't know if she would be able to keep my secrets. My tower was the only place a was certain Arkane couldn't find her. In ten years he had never found me. So I tossed and turned wondering what would be best for her. 

It also didn't help that her scent was even stronger on my sheets now. At least one decision I could make that would benefit us both; I would get her her bed as soon as possible. 

The last thing I remember as my heavy eyes finally fell shut, was the sound of a soft feminine voice singing “the valley song”...

“Down in the valley, so deep and dark

Beware the wolf, beware his bark. 

His smile is charming, his voice is warm 

But his eyes are as cold as a winter storm 

Keep all the maidens, lovely and fair

Far from the valley and the wolf's lair.”.....

Felicia:

I'm not sure why the Valley song came to my mind but, it ran through my head like a heard of stages. I'd heard it all my life but never really contemplated its meaning until that day. It was like most children's songs, a hidden warning encased in a pleasant tune. The verses explaining that the wolf was not as he seemed for he had two sides. A man who charmed you away from your home with promises of love. Then he turned into a wolf and eats you. The song was based upon an old legend of the Janus Wolves or wolves with two faces. But I had always believed they were simply stories, boogie monsters to keep children from wandering too far from home. But somewhere in the back of my mind...I wondered. I wondered about my new master, I wondered about his “friend” Alfus. 

Gregor slept fitfully that day. I heard him tossing about, and mumbling incoherently. I had finished my chores, and was trying to read one of the few books around but, his restlessness was distracting. Finally, I crept up to the curtain and pulled it back slightly. 

One of the blankets covered him up to his hips, but his chest was exposed. The pale pink line of the scar shone, slick with sweat. Gregor was drenched and breathing erratically. I knew he must be having a dream. I inched closer. 

“Gregor?” I said his name hoping it would wake him but he continued to twitch and mumble. So I moved closer again. I was near enough then to reach him and I gently shook his shoulder. 

“Gregor?” I said it louder. 

The next thing I knew Gregor shot up in bed. I began to scream in surprise but he grabbed me around the waist with one arm and clamped his other hand over my mouth with the other. I looked up into his face. His eyes were still dilated and he didn't seem to recognize me. 

I struggled in his grasp for if he was dreaming of an enemy I would be dead in seconds. I worked my mouth free enough and bit his hand. He yelped and pulled it back. I looked back into his face. He looked confused but awake and aware of who I was. 

“What happened?” His face was very close to mine and his voice was husky.

“I think you were dreaming...Gregor.” my voice was rather shaky.

He became aware of the fact that I was lying across his lap, held fast by his sinuous arms. He let go of my waist, took me by the shoulders, and hoisted me back to the floor. 

“Don't ever try to wake me again.” His voice was still low, but I could hear the anger. 

“Yes sir. I'm sorry. I was...” 

Gregor held up his hand again. “You’re not in trouble. I'm just...trying to keep you safe.” 

“But you're angry.”

“Yes, but not with you, more at myself. I should have warned you.” He sighed heavily. “The dreams pass, I rarely remember them. I don't want to wake up to the living nightmare of having killed you in my sleep.”

I nodded. 

“In fact,” he continued. “The next time this happens I want you to leave the tower.”

“Leave?”

“Yes, some fresh air will do you good anyway.” he tried to laugh it off. But the incident had shaken him. And I must admit, it had shaken me as well. 

I went about getting supper prepared then, trying to shake off the knots in my stomach, I suppose it had been foolish to try and wake him, but I didn't want to just leave him that way. 

But I felt stupid and inexperienced after the incident. I worried that Gregor would think I was afraid of him now. I had made everything worse.