FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Wolfhood Ceremony

The villagers of Slyvangard were anxious about today's main event the Wolfhood Ceremony, which is stationed inside the church as tradition. The ordeal is for the young male wolves that reached the age of eighteen, and consists of three trial challenges they have to face. What the challenges where in the ordeal no one really knew except those who went into the Chamber of Trials. And as rule no living wolf that came out of the Chamber of Trials alive wasn't allowed to utter a single word of what they experienced. The Council of Slyvangard was excited as the villagers. Knowing their tasks they set out preparing the ritual before the ordeal.

Fang could hardly believe it as he stood by his bedroom window. Thinking of what the trials might bring he turned around as the sound of paws approached his bedroom door. There were a couple of knocks before the guest walked in as Fang beckoned them in. Searching with her ancient golden eyes, Hawk the stable wolf approached Fang. Seeing the old grey wolf with tinges of red in her coat, the tips of her ears and tail surprised Fang. "Drop them." Hawk said as she pointed at Fangs' clothing.

Confused of what was happening Fang remained at the window bewildered by her presence instead of the town's healer. "Where's Garth? He was supposed to inspect me to see if I'm fit for the Wolfhood Ceremony and the Chamber of Trials."

Garth, a middle aged black wolf was the healer and herbalist of Slyvangard. Not informing Fang that he had other plans of helping a pregnant wolf that had troubles of giving birth he left immediately as he got the message from one of the Council Members. Hawk sighed as she placed her paws about her waist giving Fang a stern look. "Garth had other matters to attend. Now either you drop them or I'll do it myself. It's not the first time I've seen anyone naked."

Tilting his head he frowned upon the statement. Sighing he shrugged his shoulders and did as he was bid. Taking off his tunic he continued on before he reached his waist about to pull his breeches off. "All right, all right. But one question first, what are you doing here?" Fang asked.

"I'm here to inspect you. Now are you going to do it yourself or do I have to?" She said as she approached Fang.

Raising his paws at Hawk, he shook his head till she stopped in her tracks. Seeing the message Hawk nodded her head as he took off his pants and tossed them over to the bed. "I'm sure my father informed you of your position as we leave Slyvangard after the ordeal?" Lifting his head he stood still as Hawk paced around him looking for any type of injury or condition to put the ordeal on hold.

Still going over his body, she responded to his question as she lowered his head inspecting Silver's work from the fight within their saloon the previous night. "Yes he did. Now I understand you were in a fight last night. Took two down, yet the third put up a nasty fight I heard."

Fang waited till Hawk released him as she check his ribs. "Indeed. Never the less my wounds were attended to. Least just my head for as father stated my ribs are fine."

Poking his chest rudely Hawk watched closely for any reaction from Fang. Seeing none she then asked him to stretch out his forearms as she continued on. "I'm finding nothing out of the ordinary here. Not even a weapon of sort in your loin cloth."

"Why would I have one when I don't even carry one."

Grabbing his clothes she tossed them over to Fang as he nodded his head in thanks before dressing up once again. "I'm sure you know the rules already. But as tradition I shall remind you am I clear? And as to your silly question, you should carry a weapon never the less wherever you go. You many never know when you are in need of one till the moment comes when you have none."

"When I'm within the palace listing up to become a valor warrior I'll keep that in mind." Finishing as he placed his tunic over his head to cover his frame he looked over at Hawk as she stood before him to list the rules.

"I'll give you a dagger before you even depart you fool. That skinning knife you have won't do much on your travel to the palace. Now for the rules, let us begin shall we?" She clasp her paws as Fang walked over to his bed before he sat upon it listening. "You're not allowed to go anywhere till dusk, so as to avoid any injury placed upon you from attending the ordeal. No weapons are allowed, and before you leave you must travel in your loin cloth to show you carry none. As you hear the drums beat at your arrival as well presence you will walk at a normal pace till you reach the high council member, Zaglar who will then recite the ritual. Don't forget your place when in front of the Council, show your respect by bowing in front of Zaglar. After he's done, you'll be escorted to the church to a special door that holds within the Chamber of Trials itself. Once within there you will be on your own with a locked door behind you. If the chamber sees you fit and worthy to live it will let you remain alive. However if it sees otherwise accept the fate of death at hand. If you do pass, knock on the door three times and we'll welcome you in open arms. The trail takes as long as it wants, the only time we'll know if you fail is if the light beside the door is blown out with the door open with your corpse at its wake. And the most important of all not to breathe a word of what you endured, even to the king himself if he asks. If you fail to heed as such upon that last rule, you'll be found dead by some unknown force like many before you who fail to heed this last rule. Am I clear?"

Nodding his head Fang understood all the rules as Hawk walked to the bedroom door before departing. "Silver did right bringing you up Fang. He's proud of you, even now he's giving out free drinks till dusk of your presence." Hawk smiled as she opened the door. "Oh, just a heads up Star will be there."

Fang chuckled. "I know. But the good thing is that all she can do is look but can't touch."

"Isn't that a shame?" Hawk smiled before she departed leaving Fang alone within his home. Looking over at his belongings he sighed as he grabbed his satchel by the dresser and began packing for the trip awaiting for dusk's presence.

******

The brass bell ranged out as the sun set over the horizon-signaling of Fang's approach as the sun started to set behind the mountains. Stores, shops, saloons, and the like were closed for the Wolfhood Ceremony as the villagers and weary travelers from their journey headed down to the wooden church. Knowing that the time had come, Fang walked out of the cottage wearing nothing but his loin cloth as instructed. Looking ahead he saw in the distance of the crowd head to the church to await his arrival. Rising his head to the sky towards the full moon slowly rising to replace its fellow brother in the sky as it continued to descend. Taking a deep breath, Fang looked back over at the bridge and smiling at Silver and Gale as they waved towards him before joining the rest of the villagers at the church. Again the bell rang out its presence this time signaling him to cross the bridge, and head for the church as the bell continued to ring in a steady rhythm.

The six Council Members of Slyvangard stood in front of the church's main entrance dressed in the most finely black robes trimmed with crimson red. In the middle of the six Council Members of Slyvangard stood Zaglar, a middle-aged wolf with red tinge fur coat that grizzled with grey. Standing shoulder to shoulder the Council donning a black robe with gold trimming marking him as the lead Council Member as he watched the young white wolf approach them with his held high. Zaglar, the main leader of the Council of Slyvangard smiled as he remembered what it was like to have the honor of this ceremony. As soon Fang stood before him, the bell rang its last note before it came silent with the crowd before its holy presence as it rested within the tower above the church. Fang stood in front of the council with his head held high. Putting his paws together in front of him he bowed, as did the Council in return. Standing back in their original position, Zaglar approached Fang inspecting his features as he circled him. Mhmm...five foot eight inches tall, grotesque strong, proud features with thick musculature muscles that spiral all around his body making him look fierce but gentle. Facing Fang, Zaglar looked into his eyes as Fang stared back. Strange...his eyes are hazel, not gold, brown, or even blue like mine which is very rare. Looks very determined though, he'll make it...but then again the Chamber of Trials has killed before.

"Bring out the blood of the white stag." Zaglar ordered.

One of the council members approached Zaglar and asked. "Surely you didn't kill the white stag for it's a crime to do so. Not to mention a curse if you..."

"No I didn't. It got badly wounded in a fight against another stag. I watched it as I went hunting for the herd for the ceremony of course."

"Then how did you..."

"Obtained the blood? Why I followed the stag for a while knowing that it would die with the wounds afflicted upon it and it did. So I took my blade out, cut it up, and collected the blood that dripped from the meat into my flask."

"And the meat?"

"In the butcher's shop of course. Now where is that...ah, thank you Liz." Zaglar said as he received a silver goblet with some rune designs all over it containing the blood of the white stag. "Oh Liz, would you be kind enough and light the torches please. It will be dark soon with that sun sinking behind the mountains."

Liz already grabbed a lit torch that was mounted upon the wall next to the entrance of the church. Walking around the stakes they placed about in a circular formation around the council and Fang she lit the stakes giving light upon the scene. With the task done Liz put the torch back within its holder before she went back in her original position among the council.

"Thank you again Liz. Now we can begin." Zaglar exclaimed as he took the goblet in both of his paws and raised it at eye level between Fang and himself. Rising the goblet high for all to see, he brought it face to face to Fang before taking some of its contents and spraying it over his features. After the third time, Fang was covered in the blood of the white stag. His face in the radiance of blood as some of it dripped from his muzzle unto the ground as the rest worked its way to his frame. Whipping the blood off his lips Zaglar continued on as he recited the words as the crowd before them watched in silence.

"Silver goblet grasped within my paws Blood of the sacrificed creature I took. Ready to partake against thy lips Then spit upon thy face of the one who dares to enter. Liberate thyself from the Spirit World. Seek with thy eyes for weakness. Destroy him if unworthy of his destiny. Listen to his screams as they rent the air. Torture thee as you see fit Chamber of Trials. Spare his life if thou worthy. Bless his soul as he conquered thy challenges. Guide him in righteous path thou made. Visit him thy will if he ever strays. Remind him of what he endured within the chamber. Remember them he will."

Having finished with the ritual Zaglar handed the goblet to Liz in return she handed him a torch. Taking the torch within his right paw he beckoned Fang to follow him as he opened the door. Seeing the signal Fang followed Zaglar as they both entered the church. As soon Fang entered Zaglar closed the door and walked past Fang within the aisle of benches upon each side to the far door in the back on the right side of the building. Grabbing the lantern next to the door from its hook Zaglar brought it to life with the aid of the torch. Opening the door Zaglar turned to find Fang right beside him. Smiling he patted Fang on the back and beckoned him to step inside. The moment Fang step within the chamber, Zaglar closed the door and locked it with a golden brass key he kept within his left paw as they entered the church. Placing the lantern upon the hook next to the door before he left signaling that the Chamber of Trials had begun.