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Pact: Prologue Part 1

"Is it done?" Rowan asked as he peered over at Noah.

Noah rolled his eyes like the last ten times when Rowan asked the same question. The Mountain lion beastman was one of his best friends in Crescent Lake. It was one of the reasons the husky was able to put up with his constant pestering. "Rowan, I'll never get done with restoring the wards around the damn town if you don't stop riding my dick."

Rowan smiled at Noah as a glimmer in his eyes made the husky feel the tips of his ears warm up. "You'd love that too much."

"I would, but we both know that'll never happen." Noah huffed playfully at Rowan.

"I never said I wouldn't try it once!" Rowan laughed, but Noah already knew that was a lie. Rowan was as straight as they came in the village. Though there weren't many beastman like them, Rowan still had quite a few woman checking him out. Which no one would blame them. Unlike Noah who had more of a slender frame and was considered cute due to his white and black coat and soft hazel green eyes, Rowan was the complete opposite. He was tall, broad, and the typical lumberjack with that ruggish grin. It drove all the girls, and Noah, insane.

Sadly, Noah wouldn't get to experience this. "And I'm ghoul with devilish charms and no desire to eat anything that moves."

That shut Rowan up as he shuddered. "Yeah, let's not talk about that. How much longer do you have on restoring the wards? You been at it since morning now."

"I'll be at it till the sun sets unless you stop pestering me." Noah said which made Rowan go limp. Noah ignored the obvious innocent boy look that his friend gave him and went back to looking at the ground. For a normal person, being able to see wards that were made by spellcasters would be nearly impossible. For a shaman like Noah, it was as easy as smelling fresh maple on a clear summer morning. Especially since the wards were left behind by his mother.

The wards his mom had created were soft yellow circular lines of spiritual energy that encompassed the entire village. Like diving into a lake after working hard in the summer afternoon, the sensation that the wards gave was both refreshing and protective. However, like everything, the wards would age and weaken as the years went by. The spiritual energy was no longer clear and bright like a gem but dull and weak like a dying ember.

A twinge of pain pricked at the husky's heart, but he shoved it back so that he could focus on the wards.

Placing his paw on the earth, Noah closed his eyes and channeled the spiritual energy inside of him to connect it with elemental energy of the earth. Almost instantly, a strong yet nurturing sensation wrapped around his arms like old friends embracing one another after not seeing each other for years.

His affinity for the earth and flames came natural being a male shaman. While female shamans like his mother were only attuned to the feminine elements such as wind and water, males naturally could only work with their masculine counterparts. Working the elemental energy in his grasp, Noah slowly bridge the energy that flowed from the earth to the ward. The process was tedious, and something that Noah wasn't the most skilled at. Thankfully, it only took nearly half an hour before he connected the last strand of elemental energy to the wards. Almost instantly, a refreshing wave washed past him and Rowan as an overwhelming energy wrapped around the village once again.

"Fuck, yeah! About time!" Rowan smirked down at Noah while he got up. "I thought you'd never finish it."

"Oh shut up. You know that I'm more versed in seals than wards." Noah said as he brushed his paws off.

Rowan shrugged his shoulders. "I also know that your Ma had told you should study about them ."

Noah glared and Rowan grinned. "You know I have. Just not as much since it's pointless and you know it, because male shamans can't create them." Rowan rolled his eyes, and it took every ounce of willpower not for Noah to strangle the damn mountain lion. "Looks like there's no need to tell them the job is done." His ears perked when he heard the shouts of joy resounding from the village.

"Yeah." Rowan nodded and placed his paw on Noah's shoulder. "It's going to suck you know, when you leave."

Noah nodded. "Yeah. It's how things gotta be."

The short, bland answer didn't bode well for Rowan as his handsome muzzle scrunched up. "Does it? First your mom died, and now you'll be gone to some silly tradition. Why can't you stay?"

Noah ears dropped. "Rowan, we've been over this. I have to go on my pilgrimage to learn and grow. I can't do that in Crescent Lake. Besides I'll be eighteen tomorrow, so it's the best time to go." Noah said, not bothering to add in the fact that before she passed, his mom had suggested that on his eighteenth birthday he should leave to travel the countryside. It was a tradition that all shamans must undergo. Since unlike mages or witches, their magic focused on nature itself. As such, once they officially became eighteen and they came into their power, they would have to travel to better refine their skills instead of finding a teacher.

Rowan's paw slipped off of Noah's shoulder before slipping them into his pockets. "So, you are dead set to leave tomorrow then?"

Noah nodded, reluctantly. "Yeah."

"Well, fuck me."

"You won't let me." Noah said.

Rowan flipped off Noah off, who chuckled. "Whatever. Either way, it's still your birthday tomorrow, and in case you vanish off in the night before I see you again I should at least get you your birthday gift."

Noah flinched and took a step back. "What kind of gift is it?"

Rowan laughed. "Don't worry, it's nothing gross like last time. I wouldn't do that to you this time around. So come on!" Rowan snatched up Noah by his wrist and yanked him along.

Crescent Lake was unusually busy at this time of day. Normally the village square would be dying down around now, but it seemed that the resurrection of the wards brought out a crowd. "Hey, Noah. Nice work!" Mr. Nowick, the man who Noah got most of his herbs from, called out to him.

"Of course he did a good job. He's Evaline's boy." Mrs. Chandler, an elderly woman who worked the produce shop all her life, said.

"True. It was a blessing from the gods and goddesses when she popped into town. A shame Noah isn't willing to stick around." Another voice popped up. "Else I'd try and get him married to my girl."

"You know dang well Noah wouldn't stay for no woman." Mrs. Chandler said as her little old eyes held mischievous glint as she stared at how Rowan was dragging Noah along.

Rowan laughed as he could easily see by the way Noah tail fell that he was about ready to run. "See, looks like I'm not the only one going to miss your grumpy butt."

Noah ears dropped but he said nothing but followed Rowan towards Owen's Carpenter's shop. "Old man Jasper!"

"Boy, you don't have to scream." An old raspy voice came from behind the drape door before Owen stepped out from the back. Owen was a towering rugged man who even in his late forties could out- do most of the lumberjacks in anything labor related. "Noah! Pup, I thought you forgotten about your uncle Jasper since you never bring lazy ass over to visit!"

Noah's ears shot back as he diverted his eyes towards the closest window. "I had been a bit busy lately and--"

"Horse shit. I already know you've just been stuck in that cottage for the past few months and only leaving for provisions."

Noah opened his muzzle, then shut it again as Owen's brow rose. "I've been studying and trying to figure out what I want to do when I leave."

Owen snorted but shook his head. "Well, at least you're not a bumbling idiot and actually getting your bearings. So where do you plan on going after you leave Crescent Lake?"

"Hedge Holt is the only place that makes sense to me." Noah said as he leaned up against the counter. "At least there I won't have to worry about getting pestered by Night Walkers and Paladins."

"Please, I doubt a Paladin or a Night Walker would even look your way." Rowan pointed out, then yelped loudly. "Hey! What was that for!"

Owen pulled his finger away from Rowan's ears. "For being stupid little cub. Noah, you're definitely a smarter lad than this muscle headed idiot. Trust me when I say that you wanting to go to Hedge Holt is the best option. In fact, you shouldn't even let a single soul know that you're a shaman till you get there. Though your kind is viewed in a more favorable light than mages and a shit ton better than a witch, people won't be as accepting as we are here."

Noah tail flickered at the concern in Owen's voice. "I know that Haven has never been a nation that accepted spellcasters, but it can't be that bad."

"...Did your Ma tell you anything?"

"Well..." Noah scratched at the bottom of his chin and avoided Owen's gaze. "To avoid the church. Outside that, we mainly focused on learning more about Mystics..." Noah said.

Owen blinked for a moment before his head dropped. "By Freya's tits, Evaline, you've done a great injustice to your boy." He looked up at Noah. "Since you already know that Hedge Holt promotes magic while Haven despises it, you should also know this. The church has bounties for spellcasters and those that associate with them. Due to the belief magic is evil and mortals should have no claim to it, they will do anything to capture a mage or a witch."

"Shamans used to get off easy because they're nomads that have always had a history of doing good deeds. However, from what the merchant have told me, that the church have gotten much worse. So you need to keep an eye out for paladins and the Night Walkers as much as you should Mystics. Got it?"

Noah nodded but that didn't help his stomach from turning. When Owen saw the firm look in Noah's eyes his massive chest heaved as he released a breath. "Rowan, what in Freya's name are you doing here?" He looked towards the Mountain Lion.

"I wanted to get Noah's gift a bit early. I figured it wouldn't kill him to get it a few hours before the midnight hour."

Owen cocked a brow as he crossed his arms. "Oh? I see. Well I guess you're both in luck then. Since you decided to restore the wards in town, I thought I'd skip ahead of everyone else's order and do yours first. One second boys."

The moment Owen massive frame vanished behind the drapes, Noah head snapped towards Rowan's direction. "You know, you're a butt for dragging me here. You know Owen was going to chew me out!"

"Oh, you thought you'd escape without that? Please, no one in town would let that happen, not when we have to hear about it for months on end!"

"Like how I had to deal with him bitching when you left to help out your dad as a lumberjack?" Noah eyes narrowed.

Rowan flinched and smiled, weakly. "My old man did need my help, what can I say?"

_ Bullshit, you did it because of Beth saying she loved how hardworking the lumberjack crew was._ Noah thought, but kept his mouth shut. He already got an ear full from Owen. So the last thing he wanted was to stick around and hear Owen tear Rowan a new one for abandoning his job for a woman.

Thankfully, Owen decided to appear right before Noah could reach over and strangle Rowan. "Here we are!" Owen voice echoed through the shop before his he reappeared, his hands behind his back.

Noah's ears were perked up. "Owen, really? Are we really doing this?"

"Come on pup, this is the last time I'll have a chance to craft you anything. Might as well get it out before you become a full grown husky." Owen winked, which made Noah feel his cheeks grow warm.

Reluctantly, he closed his eyes and holds out both of his paws before softly saying. "Can I please have it?"

"Ah, you didn't say the last bit!" Owen said.

"Seriously? Owen!"

"What?"

Noah toes curled up as he said through gritted teeth. "Can I please have my gift...Uncle Jasper?" Noah's ears fell at the sound of snickering coming from Rowan, and more than ever did he want to skin the mountain lion.

Owen laughed loudly before something hard and smooth touched Noah's paw pads. His eyes snapped open and his breath hitched at the sight of a walking cane that closely resembled his mother's. The only difference was that the hook at the end had a more in depth curve to it and instead of being made out of willow, it was made with oak. It also didn't escape Noah the workmanship in the cane. The wood had a soft shine to it that made it glow under the dying sun light, and there wasn't a single blemish that could be found.

That, and what caught Noah's attention most of all is that there was a great deal of life force that was left in the cane that had an ancient feel to it. Meaning, the old man had went out of his way to go in the inner depth of the forest himself and grab up this piece of ancient oak up to specifically make this for Noah. "Happy Birthday pup."

Noah was speechless. He could only look up at Owen, who had the biggest grin on his face, then at Rowan. "You like it?" Rowan asked, his eyes gleaming with an untold pride.

Squeezing the cane tightly, Noah smirked before jabbing Rowan in his sides, causing the feline to yelp and swat at him it. "Yeah. Thank you, both of you."

"Don't stress it, I didn't put much work into it." Owen said, with a wave of his hand. "Just promise me you'll put it to good use."

"I will, but question. Why oak?"

Before Owen had a chance to say anything, Rowan quickly wrapped his arm around Noah's neck. "My idea! Willow is nice and all, but since you're going to be traveling and the so forth I thought you'd need a nice sturdy piece of oak by your side. Which you can use in a tight bind to beat the shit out of someone that picks a fight with you."

"Typical." Noah smiled before walking around with it a bit. The cane was at a perfect height for him, without even the need to measure him. A given for someone as skilled as Owen. "This is perfect, seriously."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say pup." Owen chuckled. "But you two should get going. I need to be closing up soon and Noah, I'm sure you need to get to packing."

Rowan brows furrowed at Owen but Noah simply nodded and walked out the shop after saying goodbye to him one last time. "Man, it's like he's trying to shove you out of town."

Noah shrugged and moved past Mrs. Irving and her two kids. "No, Owen just sucks at goodbye's. Kinda like when my mom passed."

Rowan hesitated but he nodded as he shoved his paws back into his pockets. The two of them walked in silence quiet for some time as they walked out of the village and down a dirt covered trail. The silence was a bit welcoming for Noah as they walked. He had never gotten used to life in the village; it was loud and annoying.

While being out in the forest, listening to the birds sing and the whistle of the wind howling through the tree's was a simple yet soothing pleasure he would never give up.

The forest around Crescent Lake, as his mom said, was a place with an abundance of life and power that most people would never understand. However, such places hold great dangers as well as as they do benefits. His mom's words echoed through his head as he looked out into the distance.

Seeing where Noah was looking at, Rowan smiled and smacked his shoulder. "Want to go to Crescent Lake?" Noah paused for a moment which made Rowan slow down and look at him. "Is something wrong?"

Noah shook his head. "No, nothing at all. Let's go."

Rowan's whiskers twitched. "Noah, we can head back to your cottage if you want." When Noah remain quiet, Rowan completely stopped and looked at Noah. "What's wrong?"

"Would you believe me if I said it's nothing?"

"Not a chance." Rowan said before looking over to where Crescent Lake waswas at. His expression slowly changed as his nose scrunched up. "There's something there, isn't it?"

"I'm not sure, but I believe that there might be a Mystic there."

"Aridana's grace! Why didn't you say something before?" Rowan eyes narrowed.

"Because I'm not a hundred percent certain." Noah growled lowly. "I just...think there might be."

Rowan took a deep breath and shook his head before pacing back and forth. "You think...Why is it that you think and not know? Did you see the scalp of a water hag or something?"

"No. More like a dream."

"A dream?"

Noah nodded at the are you serious look that Rowan gave him. "I had this dream where I'm being called by a voice. I can never tell if it's male or female, but I know it's beckoning me to come to the lake. Then I find myself sinking under water, unable to swim up to the surface, and that there's something staring at me from below. However I can't look down or move. I haven't put too much thought into it because it would happen on and off. However, for the past few weeks, it's been happening back to back."

"And you now think that it might be a Mystic?" Rowan asked but stopped and waved his paw. "No, better yet, if it is a Mystic, what kind could do this?"

Now that was a question that Noah had been asking himself for a long time. Mystics were beings that were not mortals but not god's either. To normal people, Mystics were horrifying creatures such as wraiths who were ghosts of people who died a horrible death or demons that roam Pangia looking for someone to possess. There were also those who held good intentions; however, those were normally higher beings that had nothing to do with Mystics classified in the Underworld plane.

Sighing, Noah could only shrug his shoulders. "I have no idea. All I know is that if it's a Mystic, it has to be a part of the Spirit plane or Mortal plane."

Rowan shuddered at the thought. "God, I hope it's not a wraith or some mutated water hag." He glanced up at Noah. "Have you went to check it out?"

"I attempted to," Rowan shoulders tensed up, but Noah held up his paw, "attempted, Rowan. As in I didn't have confidence in facing what might be there and decided against it."

"I can't blame you. Definitely since you won't actually come into your true power till you turn eighteen. So it's best not to try and tangle with anything that might go bump in the night or lurk in the lake..."

Noah smiled softly, but that didn't seem to settle Rowan down from the way the fur on the tip of his tail stood on end. "I'll give it a look over after the midnight hour. Who knows, maybe I might be a super power being that can go toe to toe with a Mystic from the Immortal Plane."

"Doubt it. Besides, as your Ma said, once your body reaches full maturity it'll be able to handle the bulk of magic you can truly handle. However, that does not mean that once the dam opens up that an ocean will come through." Rowan said. "But seriously, check your mom's books again. There might be something that might be in one of them that you've overlooked. Either way, I'll let my old man know tomorrow after I see you off. I don't want to let him know right after the wards came back up."

"Fair enough. I'll look over some things and I'll let you know what's going on tomorrow morning. Just make sure your dad doesn't skin you alive when you try to ditch work again."

That brought a smile to Rowan's face as he nodded. "No promises. However, let's get you back home."

"I'm good, I can go the rest of the way myself." Noah said. "I'll see you tomorrow."