The Rite of Summer
#1 of Misc.
Author's Note: To all my new readers, Hello! I'm AK16, author of two series here on Sofurry (Human Enough and The Zoo). To all current readers, you already know who I am :). This is my entry into the Summer Adventure contest going on right now. While I do hope I win (probably unlikely) I hope even more that you enjoy this short story I've written. As always comments, shouts, votes, and favorites (if you like it enough) are always welcomed. Check out Human Enough and The Zoo if you haven't already and as always, thanks for reading! You're the best!- AK
I doubt anyone will ever read this, yet I still feel a need to write my final thoughts. Perhaps this is the vanity we all share to be remembered at least in spirit when we have departed this world. My name should not concern you. I will say for the sake of giving some detail that I am a young, gray colored wolf with blue eyes; eyes that will soon see no more. Now as I watch the sky begin to brighten with the rising of the sun signifying the hour of my demise is near, I reflect on just how I ended up in this small makeshift prison cursed by fate to die despite my best efforts to escape.
Each year my village holds a special ceremony on the day of the summer solstice. The idea behind this ceremony, or at least so I thought, was to celebrate Gaia and all that she provides for us. Well, each year, the morning before the solstice, one "lucky" individual is chosen to return to the earth as a gift to Gaia. This supposedly huge honor is bestowed by implementing what is known as "the rite of summer."
When I found out, I was determined to avoid my fate. Just mere hours ago, I packed some essential supplies and left the village as fast as I could under cover of darkness. This was no easy task, I should tell you. Once a person is selected, they are watched like a hawk. Guards were posted outside my home and would follow me everywhere I went. All items that could be used to cause harm to myself were removed from my house as well in case I wished to avoid receiving my honor. Despite the difficulty of escape and the hopeless state I found myself in, I was able to notice that every four hours the guards would change their shift. If I timed it just right I would be able to make my escape as new guards were called to replace their counterparts.
Once I saw my opportunity, I took it and ran as fast as my legs would carry me and as quietly as my deep breaths would allow. I believed that the forest would offer me my best chance at survival. I could stay hidden for enough time to make sure that the solstice past with me unharmed. Gaia had provided me ideal conditions for which to escape. The night air was cool, which surprised me given the time of year. Above me the moon shone brightly and stars guided my every step providing just enough light for me to watch my footing as I ran. When I thought I was deep enough into the forest, I stopped for a moment to catch my breath. As I did, I listened for the sounds of people running in after me, a flicker of a torch, or any other sign that I was being followed. There was none. I remember thanking Gaia as I thought that I had truly succeeded. She must have been watching over me. After all, what benevolent spirit would enjoy the fate that had been proscribed to me?
That was when I heard the snapping of a branch. While not a particularly loud sound, it might as well been the sound of an erupting volcano in the darkness. I wanted to conserve as much of my energy as possible and I wanted no chance of alerting any potential pursuers, so I stood perfectly still. Once I felt the danger had passed, I removed myself from my hiding place. As I turned to go deeper into the forest, I was greeted by the light of a torch shining directly in my face.
The woman holding the torch was at once recognizable to me. Her name was Morgana. She was an elderly wolf with streaks of white in her fur and noticeable circles under her eyes. I had been told once that she was beautiful, vibrant, and full of energy. That was before her son was chosen to undergo the rite of summer before I was born. After that she said hardly a word to anyone in the village. I do not recall ever hearing her speak.
I was about to sprint away from her, but she quickly grabbed my wrist and looked into my eyes as though she were staring into my soul. I was afraid that she would try to bring me back to the village and that I would be forced to result to dire measures to ensure my escape was completed. However, She put a finger to her lips and beckoned me to follow her deeper into the forest. I was skeptical for a moment, but I recalled the fate of her son and it became clear to me; she was going to help me escape! What better way to pay tribute to her son than by sparing someone of the cruel fate he suffered.
Silently, I followed her as we made our way deeper into the forest. Occasionally, we stopped along the way every so often if we heard a sound that seemed out of place. We continued to make our way through the dense forest with the trees and the darkness above acting as our allies and the moon and stars as our light. As we continued our trek, I began to feel my spirits lift considerably. We were both now quite deep into the forest and even if I was pursued, I had faith that I would not be found in time. It was as if Gaia herself was guiding me to safety.
Morgana and I approached a small clearing in the forest of which I was not aware. As we got closer, I could see a small log cabin sitting in the middle of the clearing. Next to the small cabin was another small structure that I thought may be used as a shed or a similar structure. Without saying a word, Morgana pointed in the direction of the cabin. That would be our shelter for the evening. We quickly and more importantly quietly made our way to the cabin. Morgana took the lead when we got up to the cabin. She opened the door and pushed me inside rather rapidly. She closed the door behind her so fast that the door caught a few of the hairs in my tail as it was sealed behind us.
Morgana used the torch to light a few candles in the room which allowed me to see the interior of the cabin. It was not particularly well furnished with a single bed in the far corner of the room away from the door. There was a small fireplace above which hung an old black pot. In the center of the room sat a table which had clearly seen some use out of it with two chairs at it. The sheer age of everything in the cabin was a source of surprise for me. I had not believed that such a remote cabin could exist here so long without anyone knowing. At the very least if others in the village knew about the existence of the cabin, they did not make me aware.
Morgana lit a small fire underneath the black pot. For a moment, I wondered what she was doing until the smell of soup came into my nose. Having exerted some great energy in coming out to the forest, I was quite hungry and would eagerly welcome any food that would be given to me. The soup was placed before me when it was ready I consumed it rather quickly. When I was finished, Morgana took the bowl away from me and pointed to the bed. I was feeling exhausted and looked upon the bed with great anticipation.
I got up from the table and realized at once all was not as it should be. I felt as though I was a sailor on an unforgiving sea, being tossed to and fro. I barely made it half way to the bed before I stumbled to my knees. Strength rapidly left my body. Morgana came up to me and lifted my hand with her hands. I saw a stern and cold expression on her face. I looked at her helplessly as she shook her head. I realized then that I had been drugged. Whatever was in the soup I had just eaten had taken away any ability I had to run.
The door to the cabin burst open. Two large wolves, carrying two shackles, one quite large and one of normal size, entered the cabin. I tried to compel my body to move away and try to run, but it would not respond. The two wolves grabbed me and moved me towards the smaller building which I had thought to be a shed. My leg and neck were tethered to metallic poles on either side of each other. Aside from this, the cabin has only a lantern hung above me, and a small window which has allowed to me to see the approaching hour of my doom.
As my body regained strength and clarity, I began to realize what had happened to me. This entire cabin and shed must have been built specifically for those who were selected and did not wish to undergo the rite of summer. Morgana, the woman whom I thought would be my savior, had led me as a lamb to the slaughter just as she had done to countless others. How many damned souls, cursed by fate, spent their final hours as I do now? How much blood sits on the old woman's hands?
I was given tools to write a will leaving all of my belongings to those whom I may wish. Having no descendants or belongings to speak of given my age, I chose instead to pen this account which you are now reading. Now as the light sun has grown stronger, I can tell that the solstice has begun. I hear people within the clearing and axes splitting wood, preparing the pyre I will soon be placed on to undergo the rite. If there exists some kind spirit within existence willing to grant me one last request, I ask only two things; that someone, anyone finds this and reads my final account and that as the flames and smoke consume my body that I still have strength enough to curse Gaia and the entire solstice she has created!