Page 11 of Omega's Flight
"'And where are these children that you did not birth but still care for?' the woman asked.
"'In a clearing in the trees, guarded by my friend,' the girl told her. 'We were left here by our parents and now must find our own way to safety, but we had no food. I came to look for roots to cook, but now I am lost and the children will be hungry.'
"The woman walked toward her, her steps as graceful as the trees bending in the wind. She put a hand, warm and smelling of fur, under the girl's chin and asked, 'Do you love these children?'
"'They are my charge and I do love them. They do not deserve this.'
"The woman nodded. 'Then follow me, child.' And then she turned and walked off into the trees, and the tracks she left behind were those of a wolf.
"The girl followed her without fear, for despite the wildness that surrounded her like a perfume, the girl felt safe with this strange woman. Even when the wolves came out from between the trees to walk beside them, she felt no fear, for the wolves felt like brothers to her.
"They walked in silence for a long time, until the girl's curiosity overcame her. 'May I ask, Lady, what is your name? I have never seen anyone like you before.'
"The woman turned a loving smile on her. 'And nor will you. I am the Lady Lysoonka, goddess to the wild things of the wood.' At that moment, the light of a fire flickered through the trees and the Lady led the girl into the clearing.
"The boy jumped to his feet and set himself between them and the children.
"'Who is this?' he asked. He had a stick in his hand, heavy and dangerous. 'Why are there wolves with you?'
"The Lady put her hood back and the moon shone on her hair like silver. 'I am the Lady of Wolves, Lysoonka of the Forest. Tell me, what would you give to be able to provide for these young ones?' Her wolves sat beside her like sentinels, watching the children with eyes that shone with old wisdom.
"'What would you ask of me?' the boy demanded warily. 'I will not leave them without a protector.'
"The woman smiled at him. 'That is good, one should not trust too readily in this world. And the choice I offer you will make that caution even more necessary as time passes.' She gestured at the girl. 'And you, what would you offer me for the lives of these children?'
"'I would offer whatever was needed, so long as there was someone left to lead and care for them.'
"The Lady Lysoonka stroked her fingers over the girl's cheek in a loving touch. 'You are indeed a brave heart and a kind one.' She turned to them both. 'This I offer, for with whatever I give, there must be something of equal value in return. So long as you worship me in the ways of the moon and the hunt, I will give two forms to wear—that which you show at this moment, and one to match my other children.' Her fingers combed through the ruff of the wolf on her right. "I will teach you to live in the forest and in the world of man and you will thrive as masters of both.'
"'And I will teach you care for your pack, how to tread the paths of leadership and bring prosperity to your pack,' said a deep bass voice from the other side of the clearing.
"The boy spun to see who had crept upon them and found a man, tall and dark, wearing the fur coat of a wolf.
"'Who are you?' the boy demanded.
"'I am your father, child, if you accept my wife's bargain. The Lord of Wolves, Lysoon of the forest. God of the wild things, guardian of the weak. Will you worship me and follow in my footsteps?'
"The boy looked at the girl and she looked back at him. At his nod, she turned to the forest gods and said, 'We will take your bargain, so long as it brings no harm to the children. Do you give your word?'
"'Sworn on the life of the trees around us,' the Lady said. 'You are my daughter, as he is my husband's son.'
"The Lord and the Lady of Wolves held their hands over the boy and the girl. 'Take the hands of your children,' the Lady commanded. 'Let them all be joined, as we of the forest join with you. And let us rejoice in this new life before you.'
"The children came forward fearlessly and they all linked hands, from biggest to smallest, so that no one was alone, and everyone had someone to hold onto. The Lord and Lady sang to them, quiet songs of the den and family, wild songs of the hunt and the wind in the trees, the smell of fresh blood and the happiness of a full belly. And the children changed, their bodies bending and shifting to greet their new forms. Soon, a pack of wolves greeted the moon from within the clearing, their coats warm against the frost in the air. Only the boy and the girl had kept their human form.
"The Lady turned to the girl. 'You I will name Luba, for you have within you a great love, and it will serve you and your people well.'
"She turned to the boy. 'And you shall be named Vadik, for you shall be the ruler of your new people, and lead them in safety and prosperity. Never forget that those who rule must be gentle as well as strong, and care for their people before themselves.' And the boy and girl nodded and they knew their names. The Lord and the Lady laid kisses on their brows, and then the boy and the girl, Vadik and Luba as they had been named, took their new forms and romped in the snow with their new pack.
"When they had accustomed themselves to four legs and a tail and the scents of the nighttime forest, the Lord and Lady led them away from the clearing that had sheltered them and brought them to a new home, in a valley rich with prey and sheltered from the cold north winds.
"And there she left them, though it was not to be for long. As the boy and the girl grew, she visited often to teach them the ways of the forest. Vadik grew strong and handsome, as noble as any of the most revered rulers in the world. Luba grew beautiful and fierce as the wolves of the forest that were their cousins. And when the time came, the boy and the girl were mated by the Lady Lysoonka under the light of the full moon while the Lady's mate himself looked on and blessed them. And their children and their children's children grew and prospered.
"And thus were the people of the moon born and how we came to be."
We cuddled for a few more moments, each of us lost in our own thoughts. I wondered myself, as I did every time, what it would be like if the Lady Lysoonka were to walk among us again. In some versions of the tale, Luba was an omega and all of us were descended from her. Would the Lady of Wolves be disappointed in us, to see what we had fallen to?
It seemed likely.
