Timothy walked through the hastily constructed houses of the village. He pulled his cloak tighter over his shoulders as the cold night air swirled around him in the light wind, the brightly shining moon glaring down from the sky like an angry eye. All around him the dark shadows of a late fall night highlighted his own fears of the unknown, though he ultimately knew he was safe with his goddess nearby.

The people of this village were just as important as any others he understood. The goddess herself, who showed no discrimination on who she accepted as worshipers, having readily accepted them was proof of that. It was still so unnerving and even frightening however to see them wandering around so active at night. That was before the transformed ones presented themselves. Even the women were hulking beasts in their werewolf form that stood as tall or taller than Timothy.

Salferia had been tucked inside the hood of Timothy's cloak, the small fairy resistant to the weather but not wholly immune to the effects of the cold. Her head was still poking out and she continued expressing her condescending attitude towards the people of this village whenever she felt no one else could hear her. It was clear that she had a certain disdain towards humans in general, but the addition of the lupin curse only made her view them in an even more negative light.

Goddess Jenna was currently in a meeting with the elders of the village inside the large structure known as the longhouse. She had said he didn't have to attend right away if he didn't want to as it was all boring talk. Thus he was free to finish helping moving the supply shipment and then join her later. It was important humanitarian work she had said, a word that meant a more complicated version of charity apparently.

This humanitarian work is what Timothy had just finished doing and now he was on the way to the longhouse with his fairy companion in tow. They weren't walking alone either as a couple of the small children were following behind him closely. Timothy didn't mind that much even though it was a bit awkward. Salferia on the other hand liked having them around as children were the one type of human she seemed to actually like in any capacity.

Salferia poked her head further out of the cloak hood and waved happily at the children again. She then sent a shower of colorful sparks from her hand that sprinkled down to the ground and vanished.

The children squealed in excitement and ran through them as if they were falling leaves in the wind. One of them, a young boy, then ran up next to Timothy and tugged on his sleeve.

“Hey mister human! Let us play with your fairy some more please?”

Timothy sighed and continued walking. He looked down to the little boy with a soft smile.

“First of all she isn't my fairy. She's just my friend.” He pat the boy on the head. “And we can't play more as we have to meet the goddess.”

Salferia crawled up enough to tug on some of Timothy's hair on the back of his head.

“Yeah mister! Lets skip out on the goddess and play some more!” she sounded earnest but seemed to have a sinister undertone to her tone. “She lets you get away with anything doesn't she? Lets see how far we can push it!”

Timothy sighed and reached behind his head to loosen his hair from the tiny tormentor's grip.

“We are not testing Goddess Jenna.” He replied firmly. Then he looked around quickly. “Besides we're strangers here. We don't want to impose on the village.”

“You're scared of the wolfmen!” Salferia said giggling. “Hand serves a goddess but scared of some cursed humans.” Her voice was sing-song as she mocked him. “Cowardly Timmy! Silly little man!”

The young girl who had also been following them ran up on Timothy's other side. She had a confused look on her face as she looked up to the young man.

“Why you scared of us?” she asked. “I not even got my wolf me yet. I'd just be a little hungry is all.”

Timothy sighed and yanked on his cloak which shook around the hood. Then he ignored his passenger's complaining and addressed the girl who was actually a child instead of just acting like one.

“Well I'm not scared of you” Timothy said trying to smile reassuringly. “It's just werewolves are something I've never seen before you know?”

Salferia had recovered from being shaken around and was pouting now. She did peek her head up and look down at the young girl with a devious as always smile.

“Even I've only met one cursed human before” she said. “They weren't a werewolf though. They were a werebear.”

The boy seemed excited to hear that and moved even closer to Timothy as he walked.

“Yeah the adults told me about that! People can get cursed to be inspirited by a lot of different animals!”

Timothy shuddered to think how many different kinds of animals people could be cursed to transformed into. What were the rules on such a terrible magic? How did the originate and what were the limits? He assumed goddesses of the ancient world were involved somehow. They usually were for such things. Maybe sometime he could ask Goddess Jenna about it, hopefully without making her angry. She seemed very touchy about being reminded of the evils goddesses have committed. It made sense of course as she was extremely dedicated to not committing the same mistakes.

Salferia was looking down at the boy now, her arms propping her torso up as she leaned over the edge of the hood.

“If you're a good boy maybe I'll curse you to turn into a werefrog! That sounds like fun doesn't it?”

Timothy huffed and glared over his shoulder at the fairy.

“There will be no cursing of children tonight or any other night.” He said firmly. “Do I need to remind you what the goddess said?”

With this reminder the fairy sighed deeply and flopped back down into the hood and out of sight.

“Yeah. I don't want an angry goddess coming after me. I'll be good.”

Their conversation was then interrupted by the appearance of another villager. They were in werewolf form so Timothy couldn't quite tell if they were male or female yet. It was clear this person was trying not to startle the priest as they had been standing in direct moonlight next to one of the houses up ahead, only approaching the visitor when he had walked very close.

This villager was still in werewolf form though, likely due to the cold weather, as having a full suit of fur was very handy for such occasions. The children had to make due with thick animal furs just like any human would. In this aspect Timothy was actually jealous of the werewolves. The unease being around the cursed people was something Timothy couldn't hide that well and sensing this the newcomer changed back to human form.

Once he was human again it was revealed to be a young man very close in age to Timothy. His hair was long and colored like butter with deep yellow eyes accenting his pale skin. Even though he was a bit thin it was clear he had quite well developed muscles and looked bigger than the priest despite standing almost the same height, only having an inch or two on the human.

“Excuse me sir priest” the young man said. “Would it be possible for me to speak to you?”

Before Timothy could answer the two children held out their hands and pointed at this young man.

“Stinky!” the boy said.

“Stinky man!” the girl added. “Trying to steal the visitor away!”

Timothy crouched down and turned to each of the children briefly, offering his hands out for them to hold for a moment.

“No name calling now you two.” He said gently. “This nice man just wants to talk to me. Honestly you had your fair share of me when we played upon my arrival.” He tried not to let the trauma of the memory reflect on his face as he remembered how Goddess Jenna had literally thrown him to the wolves. “Why don't you two run off home to your parents?” He continued. “Its very late at night...” He paused unsure how nocturnal people handled these things. “I think anyway.”

Thankfully for the priest the two children accepted their dismissal with only minor complaints. They clearly wanted to spend more time with the fun visitors but understood they couldn't stick around forever without getting in trouble.

As they ran off into the village Salferia gave them one last goodbye.

“Bye bye!” She called. “Try to survive to adulthood!”

The two children returned her wave and gave one final goodbye to the fairy before scampering off into the village somewhere. Hopefully to their parents though it seemed pretty safe here all things considered.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Now that they were alone Timothy turned back to the young man who had stopped him. He seemed very respectful and the fire of burning curiosity could be seen in his eyes. Once the priest's attention was on him again he bowed quickly and stood up with awkwardly stiff posture. It was clear formality was a stranger to him, much like it was with Timothy himself.

“Thank you for your time honorable high priest.” He said. “My name is Remus. Remus Illice. If you don't mind please can I ask you about the goddess?”

Timothy looked down the street and saw the longhouse was just a few hundred feet away from them. He was sure Goddess Jenna was doing just fine without him and figured that as long as he didn't stay away for too long she wouldn't mind if he talked to this Remus. She'd probably scold him for not doing it honestly, reminding him that such things were part of his duties as her priest.

“Of course.” Timothy replied smiling. “Why don't we step to the side of the street and you can ask me whatever you want. I'll answer to my best ability.”

A wave of relief washed over Remus which was soon replaced with a barely concealed excitement. He quickly stepped over under the awning of the closest house with the priest and held his hands together with glee.

“Oh thank you priest!” He said happily.

Timothy just smiled and nodded.

“No problem Remus. So what did you want to know?”

There was a sudden interruption as a small chiming voice erupted from the hood of Timothy's cloak. Salferia didn't like being ignored and made herself visible with an angry look on her face.

“What about me cursed boy?” She said pouting. “I'm better than this dumb human! The goddess even loves me more!”

This brought another deep sigh out of Timothy's chest as he pulled on the hood in order to seal her away inside it for a moment. He then released it and the fairy popped her head out again.

“Don't interrupt us please?” Timothy more asked than demanded. “I promise you'll get plenty of praise later.”

Salferia groaned and pinched the back of Timothy's neck.

“Fiiine! But you better make sure to praise me yourself!”

Salferia then dipped down into the hood and made herself comfortable. Her pouting for being left out of the conversation possibly maturing into a grudge though her human companion hoped not.

The appearance of the fairy startled Remus and he even looked afraid for a moment. The tales of the fey made it well known how dangerous they could be and it seemed even werewolves weren't too comfortable around them.

“I-I've never seen a fairy before.” Remus said in wonder. “A-Are you sure she's safe?”

Timothy was momentarily taken aback seeing a monster of myth so nervous around another. He understood why anyone would be scared of a fairy though and this made these werewolves seem somehow more human to him. Their plight was something he really could empathize with.

“Oh she's harmless.” Timothy said reassuringly as he faced the villager again. “She's on strict orders to behave herself and not do anything dangerous by Goddess Jenna herself. On penalty of something horrible.”

Remus seemed at both comforted and worried by this and he smiled nervously.

“I see...” He said with a short pause. “Goddess Jenna certainly is nothing like the goddesses I've heard stories about. It's truly amazing how you can be so calm around her Sir priest.”

Timothy smiled bashfully. “Please call me Timothy.”

Hearing how brave he was around Goddess Jenna made him quite embarrassed. From his perspective he was barely holding himself together in the face of her overwhelming might and personality both. Was this the sort of thing she had told him to look forward to? That he'd become a pillar of strength for the people to look to in her absence? It all seemed so overwhelming the more he experienced things like this but if she believed in him he would do his best.

“Thank you then Timothy.” Remus said with a slightly more relaxed demeanor.

Timothy then stood up straighter and squared his shoulders hoping to appear more confident himself as he spoke again.

“Yes Goddess Jenna is unlike anything we've ever heard about.” There was genuine admiration in his voice. “I'll say honestly that her personality is quite the thing to get accustomed to. But once you have its quite difficult to be afraid of her in any meaningful way. Truly her mercy and love for her worshipers is proven deeper with each passing day.”

Remus held his hands together in an almost shy way.

“How did you end up in her service?” He paused. “If it's alright to ask.”

Timothy chuckled nervously and relaxed somewhat.

“It's a long story but honestly she just picked me after nearly stepping on me.” He held up his hands. “It was my fault of course!” He then looked down in shame. “I was running through the streets of the capital trying to get her attention. I was just so desperate to speak with her you see.” Then he held up his head with a sense of pride. “But then after meeting me and coming to the temple she chose me as her high priest. I still don't know exactly why but she said it was because what she saw inside me.”

Remus had listen with rapt attention and seemed to brighten up.

“She sound amazing! I wish I had known her before...” He looked down as if remembering a bad memory but quickly shook it off. He looked up again. “Do you think she'd talk to me Sir Timothy? Does she actually answer prayers?”

Timothy nodded and smiled. “Yes of course she answers prayers! At least most of them anyway. As for talking to you I'm sure she would! She's very friendly.”

Timothy was trying to keep his own excitement down and keep a professional air about him. Honestly just having someone around his age and of his sex to talk to so openly and fervently with about the goddess was something he never knew he wanted so much.

Remus had been thinking about something and seemed to have worked up enough bravery to ask a question. He looked at Timothy with earnestly desperate eyes.

“Is her power as great as the elders say?” He asked. “Do you think she could... Lift my curse?”

Timothy was taken aback by this question and lifted his right hand to rub at his chin. This wasn't something he actually knew the answer too. Sure Goddess Jenna had threatened to curse people before but he'd never actually seen her do it. In similar manner he'd never seen her lift a curse specifically, even though she'd healed the sick. He put down his hand and decided not to lie to this young man.

“Honestly I'm not entirely sure.” Timothy said with a slight sigh. “Is it within her power? Definitely. Would she do it? I would think so. It's just I've never seen her lift or place curses before. She really isn't one to do serious things without good reason. Why do you ask?”

The look of disappointment was evident on Remus's face and he looked down to the ground with a heavy sigh. It was if someone had placed a great weight on his shoulder than threatened to crush him down. His voice was filled with sadness as he spoke.

“Well...” He paused. “It's stupid just forget it.”

Timothy looked at him with concern and reached out to put his hand on the young man's arm for a moment.

“No its ok! Tell me.”

After another few moments of thinking Remus looked back up at Timothy and let out another long sigh. It was clear this was embarasing for him to even speak about.

“Well you see...” He said with another short pause. “It's always been my dream to visit the great cities of the kingdom. To walk around just like anyone other person would without fear of being driven out from where people gather.” He looked down in sadness. “My curse ruins any hope I have of that.”

Timothy couldn't help but let out a small laugh. After regaining control of himself he blushed and held up his hands in apology.

“Sorry sorry!” He apologized hoping Remus wasn't too angry. “It's just it caught me off guard knowing what the goddess would say to you if you prayed for such things.”

Remus looked up at Timothy, visibly hurt but clearly expecting such a reaction from someone he told about his dream. There was a slight spark of hope in his eyes however, possibly due to the curiosity he had about the expected reply of the goddess.

“W-What would she say?” He asked timidly.

Timothy was still full of clear happiness with a big grin spreading across his face. He knew exactly what kind of answer Goddess Jenna would give and having a chance to spread such joy as her high priest like this was really exciting.

“She'd tell you to keep your curse!” Timothy exclaimed happily. “That you don't need to change who you are in order to be accepted in her kingdom! In fact she'd probably drag you to the capital herself just to parade you around to all who would reject you.”

Remus stood there with a look of complete shock, the confusion leaving his face slack jawed. It was clear such a response was the furthest thing from what he had expected. The idea of being accepted by someone, much less a goddess, his curse included clearly baffled him.

“A-Are you serious?” He asked in awe.

“On my honor!” Timothy replied.

It was then the sound of heavy footfalls approached, catching both of the young men's attention. While a werewolf like Remus should have been aware of them long before a human even he was caught off guard, in no small part due to his need to recover from such astonishing news. The two of them looked to the street to see who approached.

There lumbering down the street between the village homes was a towering werewolf. Their fur coat was thick and black, their eyes aglow in deep yellow, and several scars marked their face. The hulking warrior was almost upon the young men and their expression was difficult to decipher. It wasn't a look of rage though there was clear anger there.

Remus stood to attention and stammered, turning towards the older man.

“M-Markku! What are you d-doing here? I thought you were with the elders?”

Markku glowered down at the young man with beady eyes, the eyes of a skilled predator, before turning his burning gaze to Timothy. The hulking werewolf was clearly angry about something and it seemed Timothy was now the focus of his aggression.

“I was with the elders bean sprout.” He said angrily. “That was until I was sent out by direct order of the goddess herself.” A sharp claw was pointed at Timothy who jumped back in surprise. “You high priest! You were told to meet the goddess in her meeting with the elders. I care not for your title. Anyone who would keep Goddess Jenna waiting must be reminded of their place.” His voice had a low growl to it. “You dare neglect your duties as her servant?”

Timothy was clearly very intimidated by this huge wolfman walking up and scolding him for being tardy. It was true of course, he had kept the goddess waiting. But it wasn't his fault! He had been doing his job he thought!

“W-Well I-I-” Timothy stammered. “I was just fulling m-my other duties as priest!” He gulped visibly nervous. “S-She isn't mad is she?”

Markku lowered his huge claw and huffed. The frightened reaction he had received seeming to be satisfactory. He then turned around to face the longhouse again.

“She didn't seem openly angry.” The warrior said sternly. “But that's due to her great mercy for us mortals. You'll come with me immediately to her side else I'll carry you there myself, and I won't be gentle.”

Timothy gulped. “Won't be necessary sir!” Then he quickly turned to Remus and gave a quick bow. “I apologize for this but I simply must be going.”

Salferia popped up out of his hood and laughed heartily while pointing at the back of his head.

“Someone's in trouble!” She taunted. “I'll be sure to tell her how you were messing around and ignoring her!”

Remus quickly gave a bow in return and smiled weakly with a small wave.

“N-No problem Sir Timothy. Thank you for speaking to me!”

Markku had already begun walking back to the longhouse and Timothy quickly hurried after him. The fully grown werewolf walked with huge strides and it was difficult to keep up. He ignored the taunting of the fairy in his hood, knowing full well his goddess didn't take everything she was told at face value without confirming it. While the teasing was annoying there was no real threat behind it.

It was still concerning exactly how Goddess Jenna would react to him being so late. Surely she would accept his excuse for it as he really was trying to fulfill his duties as her high priest. Regardless he would accept punishment if there was indeed going to be one but decided not to think about it. Right now he just focused on hurrying through the moonlit street after the werewolf warrior and to the longhouse where his goddess awaited him.