The Broken Soul

Marigold awoke to the sound of the door opening which reveals a servant with food that was put in front of her. She pretends to still be asleep as the servant walked out of the door. When the door was finally fully closed, she opened her eyes in the darkness. The food smell really good, but she refuses to touch them not knowing what they may have done to it. She sighed as she tugged at the chains. She felt them moved a little from the tugging. An idea begins to form in her head as she started tugging and tugging at the chains.


Excitement filled Marigold as she finally had managed to break the chains that bind her body to the stone cold wall. Her hands caught the chains before they could hit the floor and quietly place them onto the stone ground. She moved her hand to her wrist and rubbed the red marks that embedded themselves into her skin. She did not have time to celebrate as she needed to find a way out of the cell before they figure out that she brought the chains.

Her body shakes while she put all her weight on her legs and almost tumbled down from not using her legs for many moons. Blood ran downed her back from the recently whipped and cuts that piled on her lower back. A flinch as she let out a light hiss from feeling the wounds ache, but she held it together as she tries to find a way out of her cell. Her first idea was to see if they left the door to unlock for they believe that she could not escape in her condition. She wrapped her hand around the door handle and lightly pushed against the door.


The door was unlocked to her luck and was clearly not kept in the best condition by the squeaking and creaking sound coming from the door hinges. She finally was able to exit the hell of the room that she had spent a whole year torture in. She gave it one glance before dashing up the stairs as quick as she could. It was night time and all the servant were asleep at this time. She enters the meeting room which made her cringe as a flashback of her parent meeting her dreadful fiancee took place. Tears dripped from her face, she knew that she could not stay here any longer. She needed to find the front door and make a hasty escape.

Finally, she found the front door, she slowly jerks the handle and pushed the door open before shutting it slowly behind her. She stepped onto the pure white snow with her bare feet. Before long, she had wandered into the snow and made her way down the village path. Everyone was in their homes with smoke coming from their chimney. The cold nips at her, but it only made her walked faster. She felt the tugged that called to her. The forest just beyond the village. Some invisible force pushed her along until she reaches the edge of the forest.

Once she enters the forest, her whole body seems to relax as if she was home. Her only seeing eye begins to blur as the cold was taking its effect on her. She made it a few feet into the forest before collapsing onto the ground.  ran down her from her still bleeding wounds as she rolled over to look up at the snowy night sky. The blood now turning the snow below her red. She knew that she would die there. It would be a peaceful death away from the torment of her life. Her eyes heavily closed as sleep overcome her.

It had been several days since they settled their camp at the edge of the forest, enough near to be able to hunt at the first ray of sunlight, but far enough to not have to deal with the wolves in the area. Wolves hunt in pack and Chuluun didn't want to risk getting one of the tribe hurt because of carelessness. They also needed to sleep without fearing an attack, as their journey was quite tiring for the young, predominantly for Beygir who had to carry most of their belonging.

The camp was fairly small, as they didn't plan to stick around for more than a week, just long enough to rest and to collect food for their journey. So far, they were running out, so Chuluun sent Ayi fishing, which the big oaf seemed to be very enthusiastic to do. It was pretty hard for any of them to remain in their human form for too long, so every time they had a chance, they would revert to their animal form. Tilki seemed glad for his partner and decided to take a trip into the forest to find more medicinal herbs and mushrooms.

While the both of them were gone, Aslani remained in the camp to watch over Puhu who was sleeping inside their tent, unconscious to the world. The nights were long in winter, so Puhu was unable to stay awake during the day and she was usually knocked out so heavily that she was completely vulnerable. It was very dangerous for her. For Aslani, it didn't mean her day would go to waste, as she was busying herself stitching back their clothes or making new ones.

Every member of the tribe had a task to do, even Chuluun. Even if it was guaranteed that Ayi would come back with fishes, it didn't mean they didn't need more food. One of the benefits of the winter was that their meat took more time to rot, so they could save it for later.

He whistled for Beygir and she quickly reverted to her horse form. The mustang horse trotted to him and, with swift precision, Chuluun attached to her a saddle and bridles. Beygir neighed in delight and nearly jumped from joy but Chuluun calmed her down with a light pat on the torso. She neighed in apology. He hauled himself on Beygir, holding the bridles firmly. Chuluun whistled again, one hand still firmly holding Beygir's bridles, and a large falcon appeared, elegantly setting down on his shoulder. It screeched proudly as it looked directly into Chuluun's eyes. He nodded his head at the falcon before giving his signal to Beygir to start walking.


The hunt had been satisfying, Chuluun decided as he looked upon the corpses of the bunny firmly attached to Beygir's saddle. He raised his eyes to the sky and kept an eye on Sahin while noticing that the night started settling in. He was going to go back to the camp, sensing that Beygir was starting to get anxious now that the day was over. It was understandable, considering that they were in the forest and the wolves would start going for their night hunt soon. He began pulling the saddle to direct Beygir toward the direction of the camp, but he stopped short when his arm started to stir. He hissed at the pain and grabbed his forearm. Beygir started to neigh in panic but he calmed her down with soft whispers.

Chuluun glanced at the sky once again, before turning his gaze toward the direction he felt the strong pull coming from. He hesitated, mainly because it could be dangerous for Beygir to stay in the forest so late, but also because he felt like he just couldn't leave the forest yet. He had a bad feeling in his guts and his arm kept burning as if someone had poured acid on his forearm.

Chuluun grunted as he swiftly descended Beygir's back. She neighed in confusion and he patted her side to reassure her. He walked to her face and held her muzzle firmly between his hands. He pointed strictly toward the camp, before nodding at her. She seemed confused for a second about what he was trying to convey, but when he repeated the motion, she seemed to understand. She neighed in understanding and Chuluun released her.

After a moment of hesitation, which made Chuluun grunt, she started running toward the camp. When Chuluun was certain she wouldn't come back for him, he whistled. The large falcon, that was flying in circles up in the sky, made a swift descend and settled on his raised arm. The falcon screeched at him as if asking him a question, which Chuluun answered.

''Area. Fly. Unusual.''

Chuluun then pointed toward the direction his chest was stirring toward. The falcon seemed to understand, as it immediately flew in the direction he was pointing at. Chuluun didn't waste time himself to run in the same direction.


After a while of walking aimlessly, lost in the forest among the larges trees, his only compass being his guts and the pain in his arm, he heard howls.

It only meant one thing; There were wolves nearby. Possibly in the same direction he was walking toward to. It's not like he wasn't armed; He had a knife firmly attached to his sides and if they were numerous, he could always revert to his animal form. No, the only worry he had at the moment was that whatever was calling him was surrounded by wolves. And if the feeling in his guts was right, the thing calling him was alive. Though, not for long if the wolves found it. He didn't think twice before rushing toward the calls of the wolves. He didn't know exactly where to go, or where it was, but he was certain that if he was following the wolves, he would end up finding it.

That's when he heard Sahin screech from the sky and he saw him diving into the forest, in a particular spot. Chuluun growled and immediately rushed toward that way.

When he arrived, Sahin had his claws into a wolf's eyes, screeching in anger. Despite the fight, Chuluun eyes were immediately drawn to the fallen form covered in snow. He felt the stir in his chest more strongly than before and something in his mind whispered ''mate''.

The wolves weren't giving up, however, even with Sahin fiercely defending the woman on the ground, and Chuluun felt a raw rage in his guts when one of them decided to plunge his fangs into the girl's arm, trying to draw her to their sides.

Chuluun screamed in rage and, without controlling it, reverted to his animal form.
At the tiger's roar, the wolf released the arm and started cowering behind his pack. The falcon immediately, with his claws, grasped into the human's shirt and with large fluttering movements of wings, successfully moved her to the tiger's side. Sahin reverted to his human form and quickly hauled the woman on Chuluun's back before climbing himself on the animal's back. Sahin patted Chuluun's back two times, signaling to him that it was time to move.

Chuluun instantly took off, running toward the camp at once. The wolves, after a beat, followed in haste. The tiger was quick but it wouldn't do them good if the wolves followed them to camp, so Sahin reached into his pocket and grasped something that he threw behind him. A stink bomb. Or, well, something crafted to do the same job. The smell was so strong that the wolves stopped following and even Chuluun seemed uncomfortable with the strong smell.

After a while, when they were sure they weren't being followed anymore, Chuluun slowed down. He wasn't walking but wasn't running either, keeping a fast pace without tiring himself. Now that they weren't in immediate danger, Sahin looked at the woman's injury that was done by the wolf, only to see more open wounds.

''She's badly hurt, Chuluun.''

Even if he wasn't speaking the language, Chuluun knew how to understand the words. Sahin continued;

''I think it's her blood that drawn the wolves to her. An easy prey.''

The tiger only growled in answer.

''I'm surprised you aren't smelling it. Are you sick again ?''

There was a short silence before Sahin realized;

''Oh, the stink bomb-''

The animal interrupted him with an angry growl.


When they arrived at the camp, Beygir was pacing nervously around the fire,
barely reacting to Puhu's attempts to calm her. Chuluun growled to alert them the minute he saw them and Beygir seemed relieved to see them back to camp, before frowning worriedly at the sight of blood covering the tiger's sides and back. Puhu merely gasped in shock at the sight.

''Are you guys okay ?!'' Beygir ran to their sides, Puhu following closely behind her.

''Not our blood.'' Sahin shortly said, not bothering to tell her more ''Where is Tilki ?''

Beygir frowned but seemed too worried to move away from them, so it's Puhu who decided to search for Tilki. While Puhu disappeared inside the tent at their camp, possibly to seek for Tilki, Beygir noticed the unconscious woman on the tiger's back. Before she could ask, Puhu came back with a sleepy Tilki in tow.

''What is going on ?'' The boy was rubbing his eyes, yawning.

When he glanced at the tiger, he gasped in shock at the blood dripping from its fur and seemed to wake up instantly.

''Did you guys fight the wolves ?!'' He cried in outrage

''Not our blood.'' Sahin simply repeated.

That's when Tilki noticed the girl. He merely blinked before asking Ayi, who was also woken up and had joined his sides shortly after;

''Take her inside the tent.''

His partner simply nodded his head sleepily, before taking the woman into his arms. He frowned at the blood and at its smell but didn't seem to be bothered by it beyond that. As a bear, he was used to it.

Before his partner could enter the tent with the injured girl, Tilki stopped him;

''Nevermind the tent, put her inside the cave behind the camp.'' He turned toward the girls and asked Beygir directly; ''Go fetch some fur and-'' He looked at Puhu; ''Go fetch some wood for a fire.''

At the glare from both the tiger and Sahin, he says;

''Most of us needs their sleep, if she wakes up and starts screaming, I don't want the majority of the camp to be awakened by it. Someone will watch over her, but from my perspective, it's better if only one person besides Puhu stay awake tonight. We don't need everyone.''

As the shaman, despite what they think of his harsh decision, they follow his orders. The minute Sahin jump from his back, Chuluun revert to his human form. Sahin and Chuluun glance at each other

''I. Watch'' Chuluun says simply.

Sahin nods his head and disappear into the tent.

Now alone, Chuluun doesn't waste time before heading to the cave. He enters it and sees Beygir making a bed made of twigs and discarded clothing, a bunch of furs near it. When she's finished with the bed, Ayi lay the injured girl's on it. Chuluun sit in a corner of the cave, watching over the process.

He watches closely as Puhu start the fire.
He watches closely as Beygir strip the girl's from her wet clothes, to avoid her getting sick.
He watches closely as Tilki comes into the cave with his equipment and start cleaning the girl's wounds and bandaging them.
He listens to their conversation and watches as Puhu leave the cave for the night.
He watches as Tilki start warming some snow to make warm water to aid the girl's frostbite.
When Ayi starts dozing off, he's shooed by Tilki and they kiss before he leaves.
When the work is done on the girl's body, Beygir leaves the cave and comes back shortly after with warm clothes. Together, Beygir and Tilki dress the girl, avoiding to put pressure on her wounds. Tilki glance at him before leaving and Beygir stays a bit longer, seeming worried about the girl, but she eventually leaves when he doesn't move from his spot. She doesn't forget to cover the girl with the pile of furs before leaving, however.

The night is long and harsh, but Chuluun stays firmly at his spot despite the cold, watching over the unconscious form of the girl under the thick but warm furs. At some point during the night, Aslani comes to check on them with sleepy eyes. She smiles tiredly at him before leaving. He eats the food she left for him and drinks a bit of the pitcher of water she left for the both of them.

Later, the girl seems to have nightmares, struggling under the heavy weight of the furs covering her body. Chuluun doesn't hesitate to crawl to her and tries to imitates what he remembers his own mother did when he was a child and having feverish dreams; He strokes her hair and whispers words to her, in his own language. It doesn't seem to work, as she seems mostly fearing the weight that was put on her. Unsure of what to do, Chuluun decides to discard the furs, keeping only one to keep her warm. The girl seems to be relieved that the weight is gone and her sleep is peaceful once again.

Even when the first rays of light start stretching inside the cave, his crimson gaze stays dutifully on her and he remains sitting next to her, one of his hand stroking her hair carefully.

Marigold felt the pain wash away as her eyes open to see she is back in the cell room with ropes around her neck and arm. Before she stood a man, his brown hair cast shadow that covered his face. His eyes stood out as they glow a haunting sky blue. His hand at a whip in it with blood dripping from the tip to the floor, forming a blood pile below him. An evil grin filled his face with every step that he took closer to her. The clicking of his shoes echoes around them from the eerily quiet sound area. He stopped in front of her with his hands on the whip raising above him. With a wack, it sliced against her shoulders which cause foundation of blood to drip down both shoulders. A scream erupted from her throat as the pain overcome her from the wounds. The guy started to laugh at her reaction and toss his whip to the side.

"You have been very naughty."

She struggled against the chains when the man made his way closer to her. He put his hand on her chin and pulled her up to looked at him. His other hand grabs onto the hair on the top of her hair to keep her from looking away. He smirks at her with a smug looked. Though he was holding her head tight in his arms, she tried to look away. He dropped his hand from her chin and backhanded her with a loud slap echoing around them.

"You do not look away from me, wrench."

He tsk at her and waved his finger in her face making her flinch. Then within a second, his mouth was on her as he forced his lips upon hers. She refuses to kiss back until he bites her lips which made her gasp. He shoved his tongue into her mouth making her kiss him back. She struggled against his arms which had made their way to both her chained wrist.

"You are mine."

He whispers against her lips before pulling away from her. He had backed away from her with the creepy grin growing on his face. She heard whispering around the room in another language she did not know. Fear consume her even more as she struggled to break free from the chains that bind her to the wall. Then suddenly a weight was pulled off her ,and her capture had disappear. Her dream started to change.

Marigold found herself standing in a forest during the spring time. A brown wolf sat before her glancing at her before getting up and walking away. She begin to followed the wolf down the path it was leading her. The chirps of the birds and crunching of branches filled the air around her as she followed the wolf to a small pond. It continue to the edge of the pond before entering the water. It paws touch the surface of the walking as it walk across to the middle of the lake.

Hesitate, she knew logically that she would just fall through the pond ,but she took the chance and put her foot on the pond surface. It is as if the water itself have a barrier from keeping things from falling inside it. Step by step she felt like any moment she would fall through the water and drowned. Once she made it to the wolf. It sat down and watched her for just a few seconds. It then looked up at the sky and howl out.

"The wolf howls for its freedom."

Then the barrier below the pond collapse below them and dose her and the wolf in the water. It was the last thing she see before the darkness consume her thoughts. Then she felt the warmth of someone closed by ,and felt someone near her. A relaxing feeling overcome her as she felt the light of the fire piercing her eyes.


The sound of the howl had startle her enough to open her eyes.  It took time for her golden eye to adjust to the darkness of the cave around her. Her other eye was dead grey with no ability to see out of it. She was about to sit up but felt that it was a bad idea at the time. Glancing around, she notice that she laid upon a bed made of sticks and furs. There was furs next to her as well as someone else.

She felt a connection with this person but was too scare to move to get closed to him. Her whole mind was screaming for her to get up and run ,but she could find the courage to do so. She for once was at a conflict on what was happening to her. Her hand went to her neck where her birthmark was. She notice that he had a tiger pelt on his head meaning that he was a native of this land.

An overwhelming feeling came over her as she observe the man. He was tan and had many scars on him. A tiger pelt was fastened on his head which she can see that he had long black hair. His eyes were red in color and glance over to see that she was indeed awake. She flinches when she starts into his red eyes with her golden one. Her whole body begin to shake in fear.

He doesn't notice immediately that she's awake, lost in his own thoughts and his large hand still calmly stroking her hair. The smell of winter reminds him of the harsh land where he's from, his own birthplace, far from here. He can almost hear the chime of the bells that his mother wore in her long dark hair and her soft voice singing lullabies for him to enjoy.

When he feels the woman at his feets shiver, he glances at her. His gaze gets lost in her own and for a brief moment, he feels like he cannot breathe. His hand pauses, a few stray hairs caught between his fingers. He let her hair fall from his fingers softly but doesn't move otherwise. He can sense her fear towards him and it hurts him. Despite understanding why she doesn't trust him -after all, he's a stranger-, somewhere his soul aches.

He stares at her for a bit longer and, softly, the hand that was stroking her hair earlier comes to hold her neck delicately. He raises her head and, without much prompting, move the pitcher of water next to her lips.

''Drink.''

His voice sounds gruff because of the lack of use, but it also sounds gentle.

Her amber eye bore down as she meets his eyes and a flinch ran through her body. The only time she spares to look was to her side to see her hair fall from his fingers back down to her back. Fear still shown in her eyes as she tried to hide her eyes away from the strangers. They glance at the ground of the cavern which was lightly dimmed by the light of the fire nearby. She felt scared yet sort of drawn to the strangers before her. She should get up and leave, but she could not for some reason.

She felt his hand go to her neck to pulled her up which trigger a shiver down her back when she felt his hand near her marking on the base of her neck. Before she could react, she notices a pitcher of water near her.

'Drink.''

Marigold did not know what he was saying which made her pull away from him and push away from him in fear. Her whole body was shaking and her arms wrapped around her torso as if she was trying to make herself smaller than she already was. She did not scream or make a sound as her voice was already raw from her yelling the other day from the torture.

She felt her hand shaking as she refuses to look at him and focus on her fast beating heart. She was still staring down and notice that she was no longer wearing the rag of dress and that her wounds were clearly clean and bandage. Confusion mixed with her fearful looks, she could not understand why someone would patch her up and take care of her.

After just a few moments, she gains the confidence to looked up to see the strangers seem heartbroken from her move. Her soul seems to hurt to see him like this. But, her mind and body were to frighten to even go close to anyone after the events. Her trust with people was shot and broken into a million of pieces. She subconsciously begins to fiddle with the bracelet on her left hand.