A Tale of the Unnatural: Rome

Showing posts with label Rome. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Chapter Three Part Eight

The legend tells that the gypsies or Romani, were the children of Remus who fled from the murderous Romulus and for centuries kept away from the Roman Empire. Remus’ namesake was murdered by his own brother; a heinous deed for any gypsy. Family was the only protection they had from the gadje, the outside world. The Roma left behind their wolf ancestry but kept and expanded their knowledge of the spirit world and magic.

Yet, Remus felt that somehow he was betraying his family, his tribe. He was changing, no doubt left about that. He stayed away from the tribe. Remus didn’t want Dante, or any of them, to see him. Even the horses were becoming jittery when he got close. He could still soothe them with his voice but he knew that whatever he was becoming was not the Remus they had known.

His biggest concern, though, was the emptiness he felt inside. Like a hole where his stomach once was. Remus remembered: its hunger!

(To Be Continued.)

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Chapter Two Part Twelve

Actually very few creatures have ever been to a Consiglio. Only the parties concerned are invited. Anyone could attend but no one ever knew when or where it would happen. There is no need for a fire, all of the creatures could see perfectly well in the dark. In a way, a fire only made everything outside it darker.

The vampires arrive. The assembly is complete. The wolves sat like sphinxes on the slightly higher ground. The zombies kept to their side of the woods and the vampires took what was left. The Keepers could speak but their voice is very much like a growl. It took a few beats to become accustomed to the tone and be able to understand the words. It also became very boring for Tyrol. “Mumbo jumbo.” he thought to himself.

After a couple of minutes it became obvious that nothing bad was going to happen there. The gypsies are the first to relax and look for a spot to sit. The vampires follow. Tyrol simply wanders along the edges of the glade, bored. It seemed that the full moon willfully followed him around.

At least it seemed that way to Kalina, Madame Ajándék’s great granddaughter and Dante’s niece.

(To Be Continued.)

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Chapter Two Part Nine

Werewolves have always felt comfortable in the city of Rome, obviously, because the city was founded by werewolves. It may not be the official version but why would the brothers be thought to be demigods? Why else would the She-wolf care and feed the twins? They were one of a kind, well almost. Of course, the werewolves like the demigods were mortal. It was that mortality that the original Keepers embraced.

Their defense of the human population of ancient Rome from the vampires was what gave base to the myth that vampires and werewolves are mortal enemies. Yes, they were forced to destroy a few of the more cocky ones, then, but for the most part it was convincing them to go on to other pastures or be preyed upon right there. The werewolves are enormous beasts and could destroy most anything but they were also creatures of the night. They knew the unnatural was as real as the world mortals are aware of. But the wolf-men also knew what dying meant. They felt that all creatures mortal or undead had the right to exist. That right had to be protected.

It was their mortality that made them think that way.

(To Be Continued.)

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Chapter Two Part Six

For a while it became fashionable in ancient Rome to drink blood. The custom started as a sign of respect for the animal being slaughtered. It promptly became entertainment. The animals were bled as a spectacle for the dinner guests and the blood became an appetizer. Depending on the size of the party, three or more different animals could be killed. It became a matter of refinement to be able to recognize the source of the blood only from the taste.

After a while, it really was too messy, the bleeding and slaughtering was removed to another room and only the fresh blood was served. It was only a skip and a step away for someone to come up with the idea of bleeding a Christian, they were relatively inexpensive, and serve up a uniquely flavored blood. Determining the origin of the blood became a guessing game. Lamb! Goat! Pig! Lion! But human blood has a special sweetness to its taste. I guess it’s because it tastes like ourselves.

The Romans couldn’t have been more successful attracting vampires had they put out a want-ad for them. The werewolves had no choice but to step up their game.

(To Be Continued.)

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Chapter Two Part Two

Legends about the origin of werewolves abound. It is said that they were part of human culture, from the most primitive epochs to the Egyptian kingdoms. Greek and Roman writers make reference to the beast, but the earliest historical evidence dates back to the time when they ran or rode alongside the hordes of Genghis Kahn. They helped a little with the killing and pillaging when he overrode Asia. Yet none of the legends explain how the first wolf-human transformation happened. History just says it happens.

For centuries being a werewolf was thought to be a curse. Some humans, like the Kahn, enjoined them for not always righteous reasons. It took centuries before the shape shifters themselves came to realize it was a blessing. Perhaps the arrival to Rome of Christianity helped, but that’s when the Keepers could date their origin.

They realized then, that they were the only mortals that could live in both the natural and unnatural worlds.

(To Be Continued.)