Wendigo

It was freezing - a familiar unbearable cold seeped through the Coatl’s feathers and chilled him to the bone. He curled up as tightly as he could to fend off the weather and the ache in his stomach. When had he last eaten?

His dry tongue slowly slid out of his lipless mouth and tasted the air. Prey was nearby. Immediately he began to salivate and tasted the air several more times; the prey was approaching.

Very little of the Coatl’s consciousness remained - he was pure hunger now. Without opening his eyes, he moved along the ground towards his target. A mouthful of succulent flesh was just moments away. He opened his jaws as wide as he could and prepared to sink his teeth in.

“I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you some fish.”

The vibrations in the air caused Wendigo to open his eyes; three red eyes stared back at him. He was an inch away from Delirium’s haunch. Wendigo watched the pupils dart around nervously until he closed his mouth.

“I know you prefer warm food, so I just took them from the fire pit.” Delirium’s voice wavered a little. He was poised over the basket of fish, frozen in the motion of removing the basket’s lid. “Wendigo?”

Wendigo sat up and put some space between him and Delirium. Even though he’d been with the Vipera Ex Aere clan for several weeks, it was hard getting use to how friendly and intrusive they were. He instinctively saw everyone as prey and it would take much more time with them to change that.

Delirium’s eyes closed and he exhaled louder than normal. “Here, four of the largest fish from this morning’s catch!” His tone was more cheerful as he removed the fish from the basket. “I even caught them myself!”

Delirium had barely placed the fish on the flat stone slab that served as a table before Wendigo launched himself at them. Savagely he ripped into the first fish’s belly. While the warmth made the meal tolerable, it made the fish dry and flavorless - a far cry from fresh juicy flesh.

“Feeling better?” Delirium asked as he moved away from the fish.

Wendigo tore into another fish and ignored the question, unable to dredge up his manners for Delirium. The quicker he filled his stomach, the quicker he could gain some control over the Hunger. Nothing would make him feel better; nothing could stave off the voracious Hunger for long.

“Was it another dream?” Delirium’s main eyes were focused on his pearl, but the other pupils stared at Wendigo.

This caused the coatl to pause. Wendigo reached for another fish, but kept his eyes on Delirium. He hadn’t spoken too much with anyone, let alone mentioned the nightmares that always visited when the weather was cold. Though the clan was far too accepting of strangers, he didn’t think they’d want another potential hatchling hazard in addition to their resident undead. He’d been seclusive, but Wendigo didn’t think his behavior had been out of the ordinary to trigger any interest in himself. Delirium was just too observant. How much had he guessed? Could his seer abilities have given him some actual insight into Wendigo’s situation?

Delirium must have sensed Wendigo’s mental turmoil and clarified. “Last time I brought you food you were thrashing about in your sleep. I thought maybe…” He swayed a bit. “I thought maybe you were plagued by nightmares. I know of an herbal remedy that could…” He suddenly sat down. “That could…” All of Delirium’s eyes popped open wide, as if surprised. “... help.” His body spasmed; the pearl fell from his grasp and rolled away.

Wendigo watched as Delirium crumple to the ground and all of his eyelids began twitching. The Hunger flared up anew, excited by the vulnerable dragon mere feet away. Was this a sign? If something were to happen to Delirium, then anything he knew about the Hunger would disappear too. Wendigo’s secret would be safe.

It would be a challenge to restrain the Hunger, but if Wendigo could manage to save an identifiable part, then framing the undead should be easy. In his short time spent there Wendigo already knew Wight wasn’t known for his table manners. Certain incidents in the undead’s past would lend their credibility to a new ‘accident’ as well. Resolved, he stepped closer to the Pearlcatcher.

Wendigo looked at the pearlcatcher as a butcher would look at an elk, seeing him as different cuts of meat. What part to leave? A foot would be fine since it was mostly bone, but the Pearlcatcher couldn’t really be identified with just a foot. The head would be the easiest identifiable part and the Hunger wasn’t ever really satisfied when eating brains, but brains were Wight’s favorite snack and he’d run the risk of the Bogsneak eating the evidence. What Wendigo really needed were several of the eyes.

He wasn’t confident in his skinning abilities, besides leaving just the skin would look too unnatural for a kill of Wight’s, so the only other option left was the tail. Wendigo lamented losing so much tail meat, but the eyes stopped long before the tail became mostly bone.

He walked around to the Pearlcatcher’s tail. In order to make the wound believable, he’d have to take bigger bogsneak-like bites. The Hunger was up for the challenge. He positioned himself right above the fourth-to-last eye and began to crouch down.

Clink.

His own tail smacked into something. Wendigo’s head snapped towards the interruption and snarled.

‘You are more than your hunger.’ The words echoed in his mind like they always did when he gazed upon the little potted tree, now tipped over with its roots exposed and dirt spilling onto the ground.

Was he really? Wendigo looked down at Delirium and felt nothing for what he’d almost done. The hunger flared up again, but Wendigo grabbed the two cold fish. He turned away from his clan mate and righted the tree, remembering the circumstances that brought it to him.







Wendigo nibbled on the fae’s haunch. He wanted to finish it before the meat cooled, but his stomach was already at capacity. He sighed and let the snack drop to the ground, despite the Hunger clawing at his insides and demanding more.

The party of three had been a pleasant surprise compared to the lone scavenger he’d been finding lately. Wendigo began collecting the coins he’d scattered around the area, a bonus from a Pearlcatcher four meals back. He had no use for the treasure, but it was a good lure.

Originally when he fled the Icefields, Wendigo intended on heading deep within Dragonhome where there were fewer chances someone would discover him. Quickly he realized the flaw in his plan when prey was also scarce. With certain areas of Dragonhome practically uninhabited, he’d found himself hanging around the Eastern border of Earth territory along the waters that separated it from the Viridian Labyrinth and Tangled Woods. Not only were there smaller clans positioned near the water, but Wendigo was also able to catch many travellers crossing over from the Nature and Shadow territories who decided to rest there for the night. The travellers added some variety to his diet, but he avoided those in the south from the Scarred Wastelands like the plagued creatures they were.

Wendigo moved towards the water and began following it North again along his circuit. He would continue all the way to the northernmost point before circling back around in a day or two.

“Gladekeeper, Gladekeeper, please help me grow…”

The day was calm, so the sudden vibrations in the air were easy for Wendigo to pinpoint. Not too far away from his lunch site a lone female guardian had set up camp near a small rocky outcrop. She wasn’t fully grown; with her back to him she was almost too easy of a target despite the lack of cover for him to hide behind.

“...my basil, lettuce, and tomatoes...”

Wendigo crouched down several feet away and started his stealthy advance. If he could knock her out, then he could eat her when his stomach was emptier.

“I’ve tended the ground with rake and hoe…”

The Guardian was making some odd motions, as if attacking the ground. Was it a ritual? The Hunger was calmed enough, so Wendigo paused to observe the situation. If she was a magic user then he’d have to be more cautious than he originally thought.

“...planted the seeds in nice neat rows…” The guardian looked as though she was dropping something onto the ground. “...watered them all quite thorough…” She held out her forearm and turned it slightly. “...and hung up some bells to scare the cro -- oh!” The Guardian suddenly spun around and spotted Wendigo.

Wendigo prepared to launch himself at the Guardian; maybe he could still take her out if he was quick enough.

“Umm… hello? Well this is embarrassing…” It looked like she was talking to her feet instead of Wendigo. “I hope you haven’t been watching for long…”

It had been quite awhile since Wendigo had been in a conversation. He hesitated, the fast vibrations were hard for him to interpret and keep up with.

“I tend to sing to myself when I’m alone and my family’s song is just so comforting...er, nevermind that. I’m Sprout. And you are…?” The Guardian finally lifted her head to look at Wendigo. “Glade’s mercy! Are you alright? Were you attacked by bandits?” She rummaged around in a burlap sack and pulled out a small basket. “I wasn’t blessed with healing magics, but I’m fairly good with plants. This salve should help.”

Wendigo allowed the Guardian to approach, surprised to realize he was actually curious about her actions. When was the last time he’d felt anything besides hunger? She knelt down beside him and began applying a cool substance to the slash he’d received on his shoulder nearly a month ago. He allowed her to dab on more salve over the various scratches he’d acquired, but he began to twitch his tail and flick his tongue as a warning when she neared his face.


“Sorry! I got carried away.” The Guardian moved back a few steps, but left the basket. “You can keep the rest. It’s more efficient if you apply it every day for a few days.”

Wendigo made no acknowledgement of the gift. He doubted it would have any effect on his cursed body anyways.

“Well, you should get some rest! Please feel free to stay here and use this leaf pile to sleep on. I have some soil samples to gather in this area, so I’ll be away until evening.” The Guardian collected a few of the smaller baskets and checked the strings on the pouch around her neck. She then bobbed her head to him and walked away.

Wendigo’s eyes followed the Guardian until she was out of sight. He relaxed his body, but stayed where he was. There was no hurry to move on, so he decided to wait for his dinner to return.




The sun had long since set before the Guardian came into view. “Time just sort of slipped away!” She said as she presented another basket to Wendigo. He removed the lid and stared down at two tiny fish swimming around in water. They looked to be Topaz Guppies; a fish he wouldn’t have snacked on normally due to the amount needed to even be considered a snack.

“Sorry, I’m not very good at fishing. In fact these two practically swam into my basket themselves! At home I was always in charge of gathering plants since the Glademother blessed me with the skills of an herbalist.” She took a step back. “I can try to catch more at first light...” She trailed off and preoccupied herself with tidying up the baskets she’d left out.

There wasn’t really any point to eating them, but Wendigo poured most of the water onto the ground and then tipped the fish into his mouth. He managed to remember some of his former manners.“Thank you.” His voice was raspy and quiet.

“You are most welcome!” The Guardian hummed to herself as she opened up the other baskets. She held her leather pouch over each of them for several seconds and then sighed. “I didn’t think it’d be that easy, but some sort of indication would be nice.” She looked up at Wendigo and wiggled the pouch. “Don’t mind me, just muttering to myself. I don’t suppose Vipera Ex Aere means anything to you?”

After a moment Wendigo shook his head; the foreign words meant nothing to him.

“It’s why I’m here.” She turned to face the direction of the border. “I keep having a dream with my charge, a coastal cliffside, and the words Vipera Ex Aere. I believe the cliffs are somewhere in Earth territory, but even that I’m not certain of. I’m travelling along the coastline of Dragonhome trying to find the area.” She turned back to Wendigo. “If you’re also travelling North, maybe we could travel together?”

Wendigo was only use to seeing fear and rage on others’ faces; her excitement bothered him more than his wounds. He shook his head and, to add emphasis to his reply, turned and walked along the southern path he’d come from.

“Wait, the salve!” The Guardian called out after him, but made no move to follow.

Wendigo walked a good distance away and then doubled back around using the moonless night as cover. He gave the guardian’s camp a wide berth and made his way to the rocky outcrop. The Guardian was humming to herself again and he doubted she’d be able to hear him even if she wasn’t. He settled himself down mere feet away from her on the other side of the rocks.

Maybe it was the Guardian’s humming that suddenly reminded him of his former clan, or maybe it was the proximity of another living creature where he slept. If he closed his eyes, Wendigo could imagine he was back in that Southern Icefield cavern.

It didn’t matter. One inconvenient night was a small price to pay for breakfast.




He’d overslept. The Hunger violently attacked his stomach and he curled in on himself. Normally the nightmares would have woken Wendigo long before anything else, but the sun was already fairly high in the sky.

Unknown vibrations caused him to salivate. He poked his head around the rocks and spied the Guardian several paces away and two Wildclaws near his rocky hiding place. A three course breakfast, how wonderful. Taking on three larger dragons would be difficult even with surprise on his side, but it’d been awhile since he’d had anything besides Pearlcatcher and Fae.

The Guardian was loud and drew his attention away from the Wildclaws. Her tail flicked about in an irritated manner and her face twisted into a snarl. That was the look Wendigo had expected to be directed towards him.

He would use her as a distraction. Wendigo’s green wings were pale, but still noticeable. Instead of creeping closer and risking the Guardian noticing him, he snaked his tail towards the closest Wildclaw. It was smaller than the other one with one wing bent in an unnatural position.

“Just give us all your valuables and we’ll be on our way. No need to rough you up any.” The larger Wildclaw said, taking a step towards the Guardian.

The Guardian crouched down. “I already said take what you want. Anything but this pouch, it has no value to you!”

“I’ll decide whether or not it’s valuable!” The Wildclaw shrieked and leapt at the Guardian.

Wendigo’s tail was loosely coiled around the smaller Wildclaw ankle. As soon as the larger one launched itself into the air, he tightened his grasp.

“Snake?” The Wildclaw managed to ask before Wendigo pulled with all his might, sending it reeling forward. Its short arms were useless in aiding it, so it fell heavily on its side.

Wendigo was immediately on the Wildclaw, going for its legs with his mouth while trying to wrap his tail around its throat. If he could damage the tendons then he’d have a better chance at winning when the larger Wildclaw came to its partner’s rescue.

The Wildclaw got a good kick in on Wendigo’s face, which would have hurt if he’d had skin and nerves on it still. It twisted violently under him and Wendigo couldn’t reach the second leg. He wrapped his tail tighter until it was still.

Wendigo looked towards the other skirmish, surprised he hadn’t been attacked by the other Wildclaw or even the Guardian yet. They only had eyes for each other, taking turns lashing out. The Wildclaw was making sounds that could have been laughter while the Guardian’s sides were heaving from the exertion.

That was good. Once the victor was decided, Wendigo would jump in and finish them off. He looked back to his current victim, unable to keep the drool from dripping on its hide. Since he had more time, he could go a step further than just incapacitating the Wildclaw. He moved towards its chest and listened to its breathing. Wendigo positioned himself and leaned in for a small bite, ripping away the thin flesh protecting the Wildclaw’s lungs. He could see fleshy parts in the wound moving as it breathed; it gurgled and filled with blood. Not only could Wendigo fight the others without fear of interference now, but he delayed the death so the meat would still be warm when he had time to feast.

A cry from the Guardian sent Wendigo into a sprint towards her. As she fell, the Wildclaw jumped onto her and used its powerful legs to slash at her side. Wendigo barreled into the Wildclaw and sent them both flying through the air.

Crack.

Wendigo rolled into a crouch and was ready to pounce. The Wildclaw didn’t move. Wendigo cautiously smacked the Wildclaw with his tail incase there was some trickery at play, but there was no reaction from the other dragon. He rolled the Wildclaw’s limp body over and saw the bloodied rock under its head.

Two down. Wendigo turned to where the Guardian had fallen and saw she hadn’t moved. Her side was slashed open and the gaping wound of her lower belly revealed the pink of innards.

Breakfast was served. The Hunger would wait no longer. He turned to the Wildclaw at his feet and began devouring it.




“So that’s how it is…”

Wendigo was reaching his stomach’s limit from the second Wildclaw when the guardian spoke. He was sated for the time being and walked towards her.

“I thought it was odd your wounds looked old despite the blood.” She winced. “Did you come back to save me, or…?”

“Breakfast.”

The Guardian nodded. “Thank you for saving me anyways, or at least saving this.” She reached up and grasped the pouch. “This contains my charge, a special seed I believe to be from the Glademother herself.” She caught her breath and continued, “Vipera Ex Aere should hold the key to it sprouting…” She yanked on the pouch, snapping the strings. “How about a trade? I offer you no resistance and in return you take this seed and look for Vipera Ex Aere in your travels.” She held the pouch out, her arm barely able to be lifted off of the ground.

Wendigo accepted the pouch without really knowing why.

“Thank you.” The Guardian tilted her head back, exposing her neck to him as an offering.

“Full,” he rasped. “Still time.”

“Is that so? You don’t mind me talking then, do you?”

Wendigo shook his head and sat down near her.

“I guess in this situation one would talk about regrets, but I don’t really have any now that my charge is secure… at first I was furious about the seed and thought it was the Glademother’s idea of a joke, but after my sister’s charge turned out to be a watering can I started feeling pretty lucky!” Her laughter turned into a coughing fit.

The Guardian rambled on about her life and various other things. Wendigo closed his eyes and let the vibrations of her voice wash over him. It was almost peaceful. After a long pause, Wendigo opened his eyes to see if she’d passed.

Her eyes were closed, but her chest still barely moved with breath. Finally she spoke, “You are more than your hunger.” She shuddered and grew still

Wendigo immediately lunged at her throat, sure that she was mistaken.







Delirium’s coughing brought Wendigo back to the present. “These fits always take me so suddenly. He continued to lay on the ground. “I’m sorry, did I knock that over?”

“No.” Wendigo scooped up as much of the spilled dirt as he could and put it back into the pot.

Delirium slowly sat up. “It’s an interesting shape. How do you trim it like that?”

“I don’t, Sprout just grows like that.” Wendigo shut his mouth so fast it was audible. Did Delirium noticed his slipup? He didn’t want it getting out to the rest of the clan that he’d named a plant. “You mentioned you had a tea for nightmares?”

“Yes! I also have a little something I brew for fevers; I could use a cup of of that as soon as possible. Could you help me get some water boiled?”

Wendigo nodded and hoped that he looked more excited than relieved. He helped Delirium stand. As they exited the cavern, he turned to the plant and whispered, “Thank you.”


Riyoku