Promise to Mother

8

“Little one, spring is coming. Are you sure you won't come with us?” Mother asked despite the mornings still being cold enough to see her breath billow out of her maw.

“Yes, I’m sure!” Imp grinned down at her from the tree he was perched in. “Look even if it’s only for a little while I can hide my wings and tail now!” He stood demonstrating his winter’s work. Hopping down from the branch in front of the giant Shewolf was a little boy with holes in the back of his shirt. Her worried face towered over him. 

“Once we part there’s no guarantee we’ll ever see eachother again.”

“She right pipsqueak, you’re gunna get yourself killed out there.” Cannis growled over her mother’s shoulder. She and all the other pups had grown excessively large during the winter. Mother had attributed it to all the food they had available to them in the stores. Those had run out some time ago, but the pups were big enough to hunt for themselves. They’d go off for a day or two at a time and bring back all sorts of things and share with Imp. Boars, bears, cattle, sheep. 

“Hey! I may be small but I think I’ll manage alright!” His wings slipped out of his back and he flew around their heads avoiding Cannis as she swat at him. Before landing back on his perch. “I’ve got my disguise, I know how to hunt, I can use magic or hide when there’s trouble.” He shrugged. “Besides, all I’ll be doing is working. What’re human gunna do, complain if I do a good job?” He went over every concern Mother and the pups had brought to him. As winter passed it wasn’t just Mother who’d become against him going to work in a human village. 

“If they catch you, you’ll be exercised for sure.” Bruttus, the biggest brother, had warned him time and again. 

“You won’t be able to use magic,” Arihar the second biggest huffed as she gnawed on a bone. “Mama’s said human’s don’t use dark magic, it’s forbidden. You use it all the time you’ll be caught in no time.” 

“And even if you manage to run away, humans spread gossip like plagues.” Helmrot, the middle pup, scratched behind his ears. “You won’t be safe anywhere. They’ll chase you, like they did us.” 

All the pups nodded in agreement, and Maryglade the second smallest giggled.

“A little imp like you wouldn’t be safe anywhere. Villages far and wide would be wary of any new kid that turns up out of the blue.” They all laughed and said any random kid turning up out of no where would be suspicious in these parts.  

“Well where wouldn’t it be weird for a kid to suddenly turn up?” He asked but none of them knew. 

~~~

“A place where it isn’t unusual for a kid to turn up? A cathedral or orphanage.” Mother answered. 

“Even in these parts?” Imp asked that night.

“Hmm, no, it would be unusual for a child to just appear that the villagers didn’t already know.” 

“Then where do I find cathedrals or orphanages where it wouldn’t be weird?”

“No.” Mother shook her head. 

“No? What do you mean? Where are they?” Imp whined pleading up at her with big red eyes. 

“No, those places are too dangerous for you. Little one, promise me you’ll never go near cities or anywhere with too many unburdened souls.”

“Ok, I don’t even know where they are anyway.” But in his heart of hearts, Imp knew, even if he really meant his words. He had no intention of keeping them. 

~~~

“Is it spring yet, mother?” Helmrot asked, excited to leave the nest once and for all. All the pups, Imp included, were looking forward to going out into the world. 

“Yes, it is spring. It’s time we move on.” She announced and the gaggle of mutants and Imp cheered at the news. 

Imp had packed a small bag, it had a few changes of clothes, a dagger, a blanket that Imp became attached to, and the bottle, jar, and crock that housed Manuel and the kids. Imp made sure to wrap them up tightly with the extra clothes he was bringing. He looked at his packed sack with satisfaction. 

Climbing aboard the wolf portion of Mother’s back his legs dangled and he swung them freely. He held his sack close to his chest as she and her pack of pups galloped through the forest. She’d insisted they take him part of the way to Conrede if he wasn’t going to join them in the cursed lands. 

After running for most of the day, Maryglade who’d taken the scouting position and ran ahead came back, halting the group's advance. 

“Something’s not right.” She panted. “I’m not sure Conrede is part of the blessed lands anymore.”

“Whatdya mean?” Imp asked. 

“It doesn’t smell human in these parts. Mother, you're sure the village is supposed to be ahead aren’t you?”

“Yes, if I remember right. Conrede should be around here.”

“Lemme take a look.” Before anyone could stop him, Imp launched into the air and soared toward the clouds. Now that it was warmer, he didn’t mind flying so high. Off in the distance, toward where Conrede should be he saw smoke. Holding onto his pack tightly he glided back to the pack. 

“I saw smoke, like from a chimney.” He reported, “But I’ve got a feeling Mary’s right about Conrede.”  

“Hmm if it’s part of the cursed lands it should be safe for us to go there. Right, mother?” Bruttus huffed. 

“Yes, let’s check it out. You may be stuck with us after all, little one.” She smiled as he pouted from a low hanging perch. Picking him up she placed him onto her back again. Offering some consoling pats as they proceeded forward again with more caution.