The Lupus Chalice - for edincoat
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junetideTitle: The Lupus Chalice
Gift for: edincoat
By:untonuggan
Gift type: Fiction, approx 2,200 words
Genre: Speculative Fiction/Fantasy/Werewolves
Rating: PG-13 for some violence
Warnings: some violence and depictions of werewolf meals
Summary: A pack of werewolves sets out to find the Lupus Chalice, a werewolf relic rumored to give the users control over their werewolf forms. Four set out, but how many will return?
Giftcreator's notes: I had so much fun writing this! What an amazing prompt. Thank you for this opportunity! For those who are interested, the prompt I chose was: "Werewolves looking for treasure. Do they go on a road trip? Do they dig random holes in other people's yards? Do they have an actual plan for these untold riches and fortune?"
"I am so sick of eating deer."
"Venison is supposed to be a delicacy."
"Yeah, well not when it's raw and it leaves fur stuck between my teeth."
"Will you guys be quiet? You know I used to be a vegetarian before..."
"Yeah, yeah, Veera, we know." Christopher brushed shaggy hair from his face and absently threw a bloody bone at Sean. Sean growled in return, a noise that reverberated with a wolf's power though the sound came from what appeared to be a human face. He moved to pounce at Chris, but a gruff voice interrupted.
"Put your clothes on, you savage bunch of ruffians! You never know when a ranger might see you." Guy's colossal shadow fell over the trio, wavering in the early morning light.
"Someone moved my clothes," Veera complained.
"Sean. Christopher." Guy didn't need to raise his voice to insert a growl of command.
With a covetous look, Chris threw a bundle at Veera. Sean had seen his pack sister in her post-transformation nakedness so many times before that he was unfazed by it, but Chris was new to Guy's pack and being a werewolf. He had yet to learn exactly how tired one could get of wild game, or to appreciate the forbidden delicacy of human flesh.
"When are we going to get out of this backwater wilderness and go back to civilization? At least I can lock myself in a warm room when the moon changes." Veera sniffed contemptuously at her packmates. "And I can bathe."
"If Sean hadn't gone out and killed that girl-"
"Hey, I don't mind hiding out in the woods. You three didn't have to come with me."
"Yeah, and risk the attention disappearing backpackers would bring."
Guy let the bickering continue, keeping a well-tuned ear out for any signs of overt aggression. He had grown tired of regulating the posturing between his young pack. Not for the first time, he wished that he had more control over which humans died by his maw and which became pack members. As Veera concluded a stream of whiny chastisements, Guy spoke.
"We're not here because of Sean."
The trio fell silent. No one retorted angrily, relieving Guy of the responsibility of disciplining his brood.
"We're here to search for treasure." Guy paused for maximum effect. This time, though, his dramatic delivery was interrupted.
"Guy, you know I have enough interest in my bank account to cover all of us. I miss my apartment." Veera moved closer to Guy, her fingers brushing the hair that was beginning to bristle on the back of Guy's neck. "I don't mind taking care of you for once."
"It isn't money we're looking for." Guy moved away from Veera's seductive fingers. Her attentions were desirable but ill-timed.
"Then what is it?"
"An ancient werewolf relic."
"Oh God, this isn't the Lupus Chalice, is it?"
Guy batted at Sean, his lip curled. "Watch your mouth."
Sean bowed his head in submission.
"Yes, it is the Lupus Chalice. I've been following its trail since before any of you were changed. I believe it is hidden here, in Yellowstone."
"Um, what's this holy grail thing and why do we want it?" Chris piped in.
"It will give us power over our wolf form. No longer will we be uncontrolled beasts at the whim of the moon. We can choose what we attack, and stay hidden when we want. Veera, you can redecorate your moon chamber, get rid of the locks, and sleep through those uncomfortably bright nights."
"I like the taste of human," Sean interjected.
"So eat human if you want to. You'll be able to do it more discreetly once we find the chalice."
"Right, so why haven't all the werewolves used this?" Chris interjected.
"Rivalry," Guy explained. "An old pack of mine found it, but it was after the Alpha had cast me out for trying to take over the pack."
"He didn't kill you?" Veera asked, interested. Guy rarely spoke of his old pack.
"His mate persuaded him to be merciful. Don't think I'll be so soft with any of you."
"Well I'm in," said Chris. "I never asked for all this werewolf business, and I prefer medium-well steak to bloody venison. Where do we go?"
"When I last saw my pack they were heading for an abandoned mine."
"Great, when do we leave?" Chris was ever the eager pup.
"Now. We won't be able to go in wolf form."
Groaning about the work, the trio stood and began to pack their equipment. Guy grew impatient. "Just leave it. We'll get it later. Veera, see if you can smell sulfur. Your nose is best."
Casting a superior look on her packmates, Veera set off at a gait somewhere between a wolf's easy lope and a vixen’s strut that she somehow managed to pull off on two legs. Chris followed her curved form eagerly, and Sean kept pace behind them. Guy brought up the rear, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be straggling. It was his preferred method for keeping pups in line.
***
The sun was beginning to beat down on the pack, and Guy had allowed them to rest by a stream.
"How far away is the sulfur, Veera?" Guy asked.
"Even I can smell it," Sean said. "It can't be far."
"Did I ask you? Veera, report."
"I would say about a half mile to the east."
"Good. It's time for a change in direction. We want to head up towards that ridge. The mine should be near there. I want the three of you to fan out and look for any signs of past human activity. Doorways, wooden fenceposts, you name it."
"You're a little far from the main hiking trails." A ranger had appeared behind the trio. Tall, blonde, and fit, she was the instant target of Sean's attention.
"Is there a problem, ma'am?" he drawled, eying her trim body hungrily up and down. Guy groaned inwardly; Sean had a way of causing trouble with the authorities.
"We've had a lot of wolf activity over the past few days. Sometimes after these long winters they get hungry. I saw the remains of a deer only a few miles back from here. Not a pretty sight. You'll want to be careful."
"I think we can handle it," Sean smirked.
The ranger rounded on Sean. "This is no joking matter. Unless you have some sort of superpowers, you're not going to be able to hold them off with your bare hands. I will not have another incident pitting hikers and a protected species against each other, do you hear me? I want you off these trails by dusk."
Guy shot Sean a warning look. "Yes, ma'am," Sean told the ranger, managing to sound repentant even though Guy knew he was laughing inside.
The ranger gave a curt nod and turned to leave.
"Excuse me, ma'am? Perhaps you could help us get off the trails sooner," Veera smiled sweetly, her lips covering her canines. "Is there an abandoned mine anywhere around here? We were just hoping to get some pictures of a real wild west kind of thing."
"There's one a mile north-east of here. But I hope you're not planning some hare-brained expedition into the mine. It's not safe."
"Oh no, ma'am," Veera kept her eyes wide. "Why, you won't even know we were there."
"Then I hope you folks have a pleasant visit to Yellowstone." The ranger's walkie-talkie crackled, and she moved away to answer it. A harried look crossed her face, and she waved absently to the group in farewell before taking off at a fast pace down the mountainside.
"She would make a thoroughly delectable dinner," Sean commented, licking his lips.
"Not now. Let's move before we have any more interruptions."
"I guess we know exactly which way to go now," Veera smirked.
"Yeah, that was a great idea, Veera," Chris bounced around her. "Let's go!"
"Sometimes he makes me sick," Sean muttered to himself.
Quietly, Guy agreed. Still, he would be rid of this trio of problems before the day was out.
***
"X marks the spot," Chris said, panting. "I found it first."
"Well just don't pee on it. I don't want to have to move any ancient lumber you've marked," Sean sneered.
"Sean, you move the lumber first, since you're so quick with your tongue."
With an effortless heave, Sean lifted the door to the mine off its rusted hinges. At least Sean was strong, Guy had to give him that. Perhaps too strong. He was a definite threat to the Alpha's authority. Guy pulled four flashlights from his backpack. No sense in risking any of the group getting lost.
"Now which way?" Veera sidled up to Guy. "Do you have a map we can look at?"
Guy avoided her gaze. "My pack leader had the map. I should be able to pick up traces of their scent on the way down. It won't have been disturbed in this place."
With a moment's pause, Guy sniffed and then motioned them to a track leading downward. "It appears to be deep in the mine."
"Great," Sean muttered.
"This is going to be great," Chris enthused. "Control over my wolf form. A werewolf whenever I want to be! The moon can keep its curses!"
"We're nearly there. Do you hear the water?" Guy said triumphantly. "We need to drink fresh mountain water from the chalice for the spell to take effect."
The group entered a large chamber, bordered by a small stream. There was no chalice to be seen. Sean snickered.
"It must be here somewhere," Guy growled.
"Maybe it's buried?" Veera offered.
"Good thinking. Chris, you have a lot of energy. Start digging in the middle of the room."
"With my hands?" Chris said. "I don't have paws at the moment."
"There's an old shovel over there, genius," Sean chuckled.
"You two take turns," Guy said.
After half an hour and much moaning, Guy finally shouldered them aside. "Stand back."
Casting off his shirt, Guy bent to all fours and began to heave behind him. He had learned to dig with his hands long ago, before there was a shovel conveniently placed here. Of course then he had mostly been filling in this hole. Muscles rippled in his back and on his neck. After a few moments, Guy raised a dusty chalice in triumph.
"So it really exists," Veera breathed. "It's beautiful. Quick, rinse it off so I can see the design. It would look so great in my new living room."
Sean rolled his eyes but followed Veera to the stream along with the rest of the group. She washed the grime off the large gold drinking vessel, which reflected the light of their flashlights like a hundred mirrors. It was inlaid with moonstone and ringed with strange runes. None of the young werewolves could read them, and Guy hid his knowledge of what the runes contained.
"The youngest must drink first, with the oldest last. The spell will take a few moments to take effect. Don't break the silence with any complaining."
Guy filled the ancient Lupus Chalice with the pure mountain water, then passed it to Chris. His eyeteeth showed as he smiled. "Drink up."
Chris sniffed the chalice nervously before taking a deep drink. Veera and Sean followed suit. Guy feigned taking a great gulp, and then waited for his problems to be over.
The trio of young werewolves began to change before his eyes. The standard crunching of flesh and eruption of fur brought forth a whine from Chris. In a few moments, three wolves stood before Guy. A large sand-colored wolf that had once been Sean howled as he realized that he could not change back, and that he was no longer a werewolf.
"I may have forgotten to mention that you gain control of your wolf form because you no longer change on a full moon. Or anytime, actually," Guy smirked.
A medium-sized wolf, formerly known as Chris, growled at Guy. The lean female also gave a warning growl.
Guy whistled to the trio. "If you want to get out of this mine, you'd better follow me back to the daylight."
The group shuffled about in disgust, and then followed Guy as they always had. At last he was free of their constant complaining. He could seek out a new pack, one that wouldn't discard him as his first one had. (That had been a lucky escape, it turned out. Guy had watched them emerge from the mine as wolves a lifetime ago before following their trail back to the Lupus Chalice.) Now he could seek out intelligent companions; he always had a recourse if he decided he needed a different pack.
At last they reached the entrance of the mine. Guy stepped out into the fading hours of daylight.
"Have a nice life," he chuckled, turning to leave.
Guy didn't see the trio attack. He felt their teeth rip in to him, and realized in dismay that in the daylight he was unable to change. By then his fate was sealed.
Gift for: edincoat
By:
untonugganGift type: Fiction, approx 2,200 words
Genre: Speculative Fiction/Fantasy/Werewolves
Rating: PG-13 for some violence
Warnings: some violence and depictions of werewolf meals
Summary: A pack of werewolves sets out to find the Lupus Chalice, a werewolf relic rumored to give the users control over their werewolf forms. Four set out, but how many will return?
Giftcreator's notes: I had so much fun writing this! What an amazing prompt. Thank you for this opportunity! For those who are interested, the prompt I chose was: "Werewolves looking for treasure. Do they go on a road trip? Do they dig random holes in other people's yards? Do they have an actual plan for these untold riches and fortune?"
"I am so sick of eating deer."
"Venison is supposed to be a delicacy."
"Yeah, well not when it's raw and it leaves fur stuck between my teeth."
"Will you guys be quiet? You know I used to be a vegetarian before..."
"Yeah, yeah, Veera, we know." Christopher brushed shaggy hair from his face and absently threw a bloody bone at Sean. Sean growled in return, a noise that reverberated with a wolf's power though the sound came from what appeared to be a human face. He moved to pounce at Chris, but a gruff voice interrupted.
"Put your clothes on, you savage bunch of ruffians! You never know when a ranger might see you." Guy's colossal shadow fell over the trio, wavering in the early morning light.
"Someone moved my clothes," Veera complained.
"Sean. Christopher." Guy didn't need to raise his voice to insert a growl of command.
With a covetous look, Chris threw a bundle at Veera. Sean had seen his pack sister in her post-transformation nakedness so many times before that he was unfazed by it, but Chris was new to Guy's pack and being a werewolf. He had yet to learn exactly how tired one could get of wild game, or to appreciate the forbidden delicacy of human flesh.
"When are we going to get out of this backwater wilderness and go back to civilization? At least I can lock myself in a warm room when the moon changes." Veera sniffed contemptuously at her packmates. "And I can bathe."
"If Sean hadn't gone out and killed that girl-"
"Hey, I don't mind hiding out in the woods. You three didn't have to come with me."
"Yeah, and risk the attention disappearing backpackers would bring."
Guy let the bickering continue, keeping a well-tuned ear out for any signs of overt aggression. He had grown tired of regulating the posturing between his young pack. Not for the first time, he wished that he had more control over which humans died by his maw and which became pack members. As Veera concluded a stream of whiny chastisements, Guy spoke.
"We're not here because of Sean."
The trio fell silent. No one retorted angrily, relieving Guy of the responsibility of disciplining his brood.
"We're here to search for treasure." Guy paused for maximum effect. This time, though, his dramatic delivery was interrupted.
"Guy, you know I have enough interest in my bank account to cover all of us. I miss my apartment." Veera moved closer to Guy, her fingers brushing the hair that was beginning to bristle on the back of Guy's neck. "I don't mind taking care of you for once."
"It isn't money we're looking for." Guy moved away from Veera's seductive fingers. Her attentions were desirable but ill-timed.
"Then what is it?"
"An ancient werewolf relic."
"Oh God, this isn't the Lupus Chalice, is it?"
Guy batted at Sean, his lip curled. "Watch your mouth."
Sean bowed his head in submission.
"Yes, it is the Lupus Chalice. I've been following its trail since before any of you were changed. I believe it is hidden here, in Yellowstone."
"Um, what's this holy grail thing and why do we want it?" Chris piped in.
"It will give us power over our wolf form. No longer will we be uncontrolled beasts at the whim of the moon. We can choose what we attack, and stay hidden when we want. Veera, you can redecorate your moon chamber, get rid of the locks, and sleep through those uncomfortably bright nights."
"I like the taste of human," Sean interjected.
"So eat human if you want to. You'll be able to do it more discreetly once we find the chalice."
"Right, so why haven't all the werewolves used this?" Chris interjected.
"Rivalry," Guy explained. "An old pack of mine found it, but it was after the Alpha had cast me out for trying to take over the pack."
"He didn't kill you?" Veera asked, interested. Guy rarely spoke of his old pack.
"His mate persuaded him to be merciful. Don't think I'll be so soft with any of you."
"Well I'm in," said Chris. "I never asked for all this werewolf business, and I prefer medium-well steak to bloody venison. Where do we go?"
"When I last saw my pack they were heading for an abandoned mine."
"Great, when do we leave?" Chris was ever the eager pup.
"Now. We won't be able to go in wolf form."
Groaning about the work, the trio stood and began to pack their equipment. Guy grew impatient. "Just leave it. We'll get it later. Veera, see if you can smell sulfur. Your nose is best."
Casting a superior look on her packmates, Veera set off at a gait somewhere between a wolf's easy lope and a vixen’s strut that she somehow managed to pull off on two legs. Chris followed her curved form eagerly, and Sean kept pace behind them. Guy brought up the rear, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be straggling. It was his preferred method for keeping pups in line.
***
The sun was beginning to beat down on the pack, and Guy had allowed them to rest by a stream.
"How far away is the sulfur, Veera?" Guy asked.
"Even I can smell it," Sean said. "It can't be far."
"Did I ask you? Veera, report."
"I would say about a half mile to the east."
"Good. It's time for a change in direction. We want to head up towards that ridge. The mine should be near there. I want the three of you to fan out and look for any signs of past human activity. Doorways, wooden fenceposts, you name it."
"You're a little far from the main hiking trails." A ranger had appeared behind the trio. Tall, blonde, and fit, she was the instant target of Sean's attention.
"Is there a problem, ma'am?" he drawled, eying her trim body hungrily up and down. Guy groaned inwardly; Sean had a way of causing trouble with the authorities.
"We've had a lot of wolf activity over the past few days. Sometimes after these long winters they get hungry. I saw the remains of a deer only a few miles back from here. Not a pretty sight. You'll want to be careful."
"I think we can handle it," Sean smirked.
The ranger rounded on Sean. "This is no joking matter. Unless you have some sort of superpowers, you're not going to be able to hold them off with your bare hands. I will not have another incident pitting hikers and a protected species against each other, do you hear me? I want you off these trails by dusk."
Guy shot Sean a warning look. "Yes, ma'am," Sean told the ranger, managing to sound repentant even though Guy knew he was laughing inside.
The ranger gave a curt nod and turned to leave.
"Excuse me, ma'am? Perhaps you could help us get off the trails sooner," Veera smiled sweetly, her lips covering her canines. "Is there an abandoned mine anywhere around here? We were just hoping to get some pictures of a real wild west kind of thing."
"There's one a mile north-east of here. But I hope you're not planning some hare-brained expedition into the mine. It's not safe."
"Oh no, ma'am," Veera kept her eyes wide. "Why, you won't even know we were there."
"Then I hope you folks have a pleasant visit to Yellowstone." The ranger's walkie-talkie crackled, and she moved away to answer it. A harried look crossed her face, and she waved absently to the group in farewell before taking off at a fast pace down the mountainside.
"She would make a thoroughly delectable dinner," Sean commented, licking his lips.
"Not now. Let's move before we have any more interruptions."
"I guess we know exactly which way to go now," Veera smirked.
"Yeah, that was a great idea, Veera," Chris bounced around her. "Let's go!"
"Sometimes he makes me sick," Sean muttered to himself.
Quietly, Guy agreed. Still, he would be rid of this trio of problems before the day was out.
***
"X marks the spot," Chris said, panting. "I found it first."
"Well just don't pee on it. I don't want to have to move any ancient lumber you've marked," Sean sneered.
"Sean, you move the lumber first, since you're so quick with your tongue."
With an effortless heave, Sean lifted the door to the mine off its rusted hinges. At least Sean was strong, Guy had to give him that. Perhaps too strong. He was a definite threat to the Alpha's authority. Guy pulled four flashlights from his backpack. No sense in risking any of the group getting lost.
"Now which way?" Veera sidled up to Guy. "Do you have a map we can look at?"
Guy avoided her gaze. "My pack leader had the map. I should be able to pick up traces of their scent on the way down. It won't have been disturbed in this place."
With a moment's pause, Guy sniffed and then motioned them to a track leading downward. "It appears to be deep in the mine."
"Great," Sean muttered.
"This is going to be great," Chris enthused. "Control over my wolf form. A werewolf whenever I want to be! The moon can keep its curses!"
"We're nearly there. Do you hear the water?" Guy said triumphantly. "We need to drink fresh mountain water from the chalice for the spell to take effect."
The group entered a large chamber, bordered by a small stream. There was no chalice to be seen. Sean snickered.
"It must be here somewhere," Guy growled.
"Maybe it's buried?" Veera offered.
"Good thinking. Chris, you have a lot of energy. Start digging in the middle of the room."
"With my hands?" Chris said. "I don't have paws at the moment."
"There's an old shovel over there, genius," Sean chuckled.
"You two take turns," Guy said.
After half an hour and much moaning, Guy finally shouldered them aside. "Stand back."
Casting off his shirt, Guy bent to all fours and began to heave behind him. He had learned to dig with his hands long ago, before there was a shovel conveniently placed here. Of course then he had mostly been filling in this hole. Muscles rippled in his back and on his neck. After a few moments, Guy raised a dusty chalice in triumph.
"So it really exists," Veera breathed. "It's beautiful. Quick, rinse it off so I can see the design. It would look so great in my new living room."
Sean rolled his eyes but followed Veera to the stream along with the rest of the group. She washed the grime off the large gold drinking vessel, which reflected the light of their flashlights like a hundred mirrors. It was inlaid with moonstone and ringed with strange runes. None of the young werewolves could read them, and Guy hid his knowledge of what the runes contained.
"The youngest must drink first, with the oldest last. The spell will take a few moments to take effect. Don't break the silence with any complaining."
Guy filled the ancient Lupus Chalice with the pure mountain water, then passed it to Chris. His eyeteeth showed as he smiled. "Drink up."
Chris sniffed the chalice nervously before taking a deep drink. Veera and Sean followed suit. Guy feigned taking a great gulp, and then waited for his problems to be over.
The trio of young werewolves began to change before his eyes. The standard crunching of flesh and eruption of fur brought forth a whine from Chris. In a few moments, three wolves stood before Guy. A large sand-colored wolf that had once been Sean howled as he realized that he could not change back, and that he was no longer a werewolf.
"I may have forgotten to mention that you gain control of your wolf form because you no longer change on a full moon. Or anytime, actually," Guy smirked.
A medium-sized wolf, formerly known as Chris, growled at Guy. The lean female also gave a warning growl.
Guy whistled to the trio. "If you want to get out of this mine, you'd better follow me back to the daylight."
The group shuffled about in disgust, and then followed Guy as they always had. At last he was free of their constant complaining. He could seek out a new pack, one that wouldn't discard him as his first one had. (That had been a lucky escape, it turned out. Guy had watched them emerge from the mine as wolves a lifetime ago before following their trail back to the Lupus Chalice.) Now he could seek out intelligent companions; he always had a recourse if he decided he needed a different pack.
At last they reached the entrance of the mine. Guy stepped out into the fading hours of daylight.
"Have a nice life," he chuckled, turning to leave.
Guy didn't see the trio attack. He felt their teeth rip in to him, and realized in dismay that in the daylight he was unable to change. By then his fate was sealed.
no subject
Date: 2011-06-20 11:09 pm (UTC)Great job!
no subject
Date: 2011-06-21 01:27 am (UTC)*uses strangely appropriate icon*
no subject
Date: 2011-06-21 04:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-22 01:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-22 08:53 pm (UTC)Oh wow this is awesome. So much more than I could have ever wanted from this. Very Indiana Jones-ish in execution, and that betrayal at the end is half hilarious and half gratifying. Guy is such a wanker, ahahahaha.
Thank you again! Amazing, absolutely amazing!
no subject
Date: 2011-06-23 11:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-23 04:42 pm (UTC)Makes me wonder a lot about the chalice itself... who made it, and why... Hmmm...
no subject
Date: 2011-06-23 09:58 pm (UTC)Nicely done!
no subject
Date: 2011-07-03 01:39 pm (UTC)Poor Guy, not thinking things through!
no subject
Date: 2011-07-06 01:19 am (UTC)