CHAPTER 14 #2
“Defeathering?” Lenore echoed the word weakly. “Plucking the feathers off a bird? And then I’ll have to…” Her gaze looked downward, darting back and forth like a pendulum, inner brows pinched close. “Remove the stuff from them?”
“If ya mean organs and all, that’s right.
You can start on the chickens today—I know that’s something you city folk eat constantly so it shouldn’t be too much of a shock, ya?
Keep the heads intact, though.” As Lenore’s stomach turned, Ryker grabbed his butcher’s knife once more, casually tossing it up in the air before he caught the handle.
“Don’t worry, newblood. I’ll show ya how it’s done for the first few. ”
Brynn patted Lenore’s shoulder, unable to stop laughing at Lenore’s stupefied stare. “It won’t be so bad! It’s a bit therapeutic once you get into the rhythm.”
“Therapeutic. Right.” Lenore’s shoulders rose and fell with a heavy breath before she nodded quickly.
“I’ll—I’ll do my best then.” She paused.
“I know you mentioned this is to serve the upper ranks of the pack, but... what does this mean exactly?” A faint blush colored her cheeks.
“Sorry. I don’t mean to bother you all with these basic questions. ”
“What’re ya sorry for? Yer newly turned and last I checked, ya don’t magically learn all the ins and outs of what we do on the spot.
” Ryker turned around, resuming his work once more.
“You came just before the annual Upper Moon Feast. It’s a time for you Nyvens to prepare a meal for the Caernith, the Vesren, and the Duskryns—ah, and some of the Astras. Honored oldies—”
“Oldies?” Brynn grinned in disbelief. “Some of them have battle records that could be written into legends!”
“An oldie is an oldie. Complainin’ about their golden times versus the next generation makes ‘em that.” Ryker sniffed while Brynn rolled her eyes.
“Besides the Astras, who are the Duskryns?” Lenore asked.
“They’re the strongest werewolves after the Vesren,” Brynn said.
“I won’t even get into how many trials and training it takes to reach that rank.
Below them are the Somryn—that’s where Ryker and I fall.
Then there’s the Gloamryn—most of them are newly ranked werewolves.
But you don’t have to call any of us by our rank except the Caernith and Vesren.
” She rubbed her chin before she snapped her fingers.
“You already met a few Duskryns when you arrived here, actually! Azelf and Arisa. Oh, and Hesper was standing in the back—”
“Alright, alright.” Ryker waved his hand.
“Anyway, they just have something like this for Nyvens to give a personal honoring to their leaders while they pay ya personal gratitude and respect for all the work you do. They like to do the feast close to the Lunar Ball—makes the pack feel more unified.”
A hard slam against the cutting board followed. The light flashed against the knife’s edge as he slowly lifted it up. Ryker tossed the clefted bones to the finished pile. “Ain’t that nice for ya Nyvens? Your hard work being recognized... by feeding them.” He let out a chuckle.
Despite his easy chuckle, the warmth didn’t quite reach his eyes—a stiffness to his posture that spoke of things unsaid. Lenore’s gaze lingered on his back, the unease she felt from before rising back in her chest. The cold tingled in her arm again.
She hummed quietly, unsure what to say in response.
Brynn, still facing her simmering pot, spoke up.
“Hey, it started way back during scarce times when a Nyven found food and chose to give it to their leader first. It was a blessing! And from that, the Caernith always extended sincere care for even the weakest of werewolves since.” She looked at Lenore.
“Plus, Nyvens get to eat with everyone else there and you always receive a gift at the end of the feast!”
To Lenore, cooking seemed like a welcome distraction from everything else.
She could at least get lost in the bubbling smoke and vibrant aromas while mincing away, temporarily warding off the looming pressure of her dishes being tasted by those who held her life in their claws.
“If it’s cooking, that’s fine. I enjoy cooking,” she said with a small smile.
“I’ll be happy to do something I love doing. ”
Brynn beamed at her. “You cook? The Moon’s Sovereign knows I burn my food to black crumbs. I usually eat my meat raw—”
“We’re getting off-topic!” Ryker waved the knife in the air. “Ya understand the gist of the Upper Moon Feast now?”
“I do,” Lenore replied. She fiddled nervously with her black choker. “But now I have another question.”
“Stars, woman. Out with it then!”
“Well, uh, what is this Lunar Ball?”
Brynn let out an excited squeal, jumping giddily on the spot. “Now that’s always fun to talk about!”
“We could talk for hours about the Lunar Ball,” Ryker sighed. “That thing doesn’t just involve us, it involves all the other werewolf packs out there. It’s a good thing you came just now.” His eyes flashed brightly as he turned to face her. He grinned. “You’re in for a great treat.”
Lenore held her breath, a faint thrill running through her.
“It’s the biggest gathering for all of us werewolves,” Ryker continued. “Think ya been to a big party? Forget it! This is—”
Faint, drawn-out howls echoed from the depths of the forest, a haunting chorus piercing through the butcher’s walls as the melody grew louder. Through the tall windows, darkness masked the performers, but the forest had never felt more alive.
There were no words to the howling, but something in Lenore recognized it—a resplendent song of victory that had her soul almost eager to join in.
“The hunt—they did it! They caught the mithrial!!” Brynn was the first to speak, yipping with glee among the boundless joy that sang through the building. “Goodbye, butchers, hello party!”
“I haven’t prepared anything yet!” Ryker’s pace turned harried, the butcher knife clattering against the counter as he searched for what he needed. Lenore leapt back, barely dodging a bone saw as he tore through the space.
“DAMN IT ALL—WHERE’S ME KNIFE SET?!”
“Hope you find it soon!” Brynn sang. “I’ll make sure to get everyone excited for your arrival!”
“Woman, instead of running off early, help me!”
“But someone’s gotta help set up the partyyyy—”
“SET WHAT UP?! THE MITHRIAL IS WHAT’S IMPORTANT!”
“And that’s why I want a first glance at it right away!”