Howling Thunder 8: The Laughter has a Name

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The candles in the room begin to snuff out starting from the front entrance. Slowly the darkness creeps past the gathering of mothers behind us. The great antler chandelier above us goes out.

Small flickers of ghostly white flames appear along the mirrored, curved staircases on either side of the great hall.Two large flames ignite near the center of the balcony.

The fire seems unreal, as if it should make more light than it is or shift in color. Instead the flames remain pure white. Soft crackles of embers can be heard even though nothing is really burning. I can’t smell any wood burning...the fire is magic.

These ghostly flames seem to dance around the Inari as she ascends the stairs.

With the fire’s glow as her backdrop, Mother steps forward to the railing holding a white stone. It’s perfectly round and polished to a gloss, it’s size slightly larger than my head.

She calls down, “Before we hear the words of our gods, let us take a moment to pray to them for mercy. May they treat with care the souls of our little ones who did not return from the trial of our pack.”

It dawns on me now that not all the ones who stood in the courtyard yesterday have returned to stand with us tonight.

As soft, feminine sob can be heard Mother continues, “While the tradition may seem barbaric to some as Terra is idle with peace, never forget the cost at which it came. This is the cost we pay to maintain it. The strength of our people, our great city of Yoden, favored by the gods is what holds back the tide of evil which would see Terra drown in chaos.”

She pauses, waiting for the tears of those lost in grief to stifle.

As silence returns, Mother begins the ceremony, “Let the pups ascend in order of birth. Come and learn what the gods have named you, let them guide you towards glory and prosperity for our race.”

A small flame moves from the staircase and stops in front of an orange furred pup of the fox tribe.

One by one, the embers guide pups up the staircase to have them stand before the stone. after a moment Mother calls down a few words including their new name and the god which granted it. Everyone softly claps and the pup comes back down to join their mother in the crowd.

What does that mean though? Some god has already decided our entire life for us? Am I about to walk up there and be given no choice in my future? Do I have no say, is this all a game to some otherworldly being?

I refuse…

A familiar giggle echoes in my mind.

This laughter...who is it? The same person seems to always be there, haunting me from the shadows. Every now and then I catch glimpses of a black shadow watching me from some random hiding place. It’s been like this as long as I can remember.

The next ember stops before Wild, I can sense her tensing up and hesitate. Something beyond reason compels me, gently, I press her forward from the small of her back. As I watch her nervously climb the stairs she glances back to me.

I smile... She really is pretty...

Then looking at the stone I whisper so quietly no one can hear, “There is no place in any heaven or hell to hide from me should even a god bring harm to my family.”

These words seem strange, just what is heaven or hell… I can see mother staring directly at me as Wild reaches her.

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I feel a pulse in my tail, small red sparks flicker in the fur drawing the attention of my sister.

Once more, I smile… can she tell it’s fake?

A quiet laughter whispers in my mind, a woman’s, again familiar.

Mother from up above, “Let us congratulate Asta, blessed by Vasilisa.”

I clap softly along with everyone else. When Asta returns to my side I can see a slight look of embarrassment in her face as she avoids looking at me while seeming to be resisting the urge to bury her face in her hands.

The shy twin is already moving up the stairs.

Shortly later, “Let us welcome to our family Sassa, likewise blessed by Vasilisa.”

As she joins her sister, I see that she too has a pink tinge to her face. She however, seems to be fighting back an enormous smile. She sneaks a glance at Grey who is now watching an ember approach him.

Somewhere behind me I hear whispering, “Madam Hyndla will be so proud of her granddaughters.”

The woman is talking about Grandmother?

Grey reaches the top of the stairs.

The stone emits it’s eerie white glow, a moment passes. Grey has a complicated expression but still he stands up straight and faces the crowd.

Mother sighs and turns towards us, “Let us …praise, Walther, favored of Vilia.”

The clapping is less enthusiastic this time. the younger folk seem fine, it is the older mothers that seem unsure of what to do.

As Walther begins to descend the stairs I hear the same whispers, “A minor dark god? Really he was such a fine boy…”

The next ember stops before me preventing me from listening more.

As I walk past brother I can see a look of worry on his face, his brow furrowed, eyes lost in the wood floor. I can only pat his shoulder as I walk by. He knows better than to wear such a face in front of the girls.

Nervousness creeps into my chest as I walk up the stairs now. Each step feels heavier than the last. It is as if I can feel every eye in the den on my back.

At the top of the stairs I’m surprised to find Mother smiling wide. The light of the ghost flames can be seen in her eyes. She says nothing, her arms present the stone in front of me.

I can see my reflection in it, pressed back black hair that reaches my shoulders. I have sharp features with my lean build, dark red eyes like my mother and siblings. Red always said I look like the villains in the playroom story books.

The stone pulses suddenly and I feel like something has stolen my ability to move.

The familiar female laugh once more rings in my head, “Ah, finally...My darling pet, I Freki give you the name Nox and deem you the agent of my will, my champion in this world. I’ve granted you my lost bloodline and more. Fear nothing in this world, whatever path you chose, all shall stand aside.”

What about my will?

She laughs like a cute young girl, “Oh relax, I play nice...ish. Anyway now that the important shit is out of the way, obey your mother, she’s a good sport. Have fun with your fiance, she’s smarter than she looks. Oh, and continue to be a good hug pillow for your sister she’ll probably be a great queen one day. That’s all this time. Later Fuzzy, love ya.”

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