The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

The night lay quiet and time seemed suspended. The screams and the moans of the wounded were silenced one by one. It is said that only when war rages in the land does the mighty wolf stir and become a warrior-bold, strong, invincible and savage.Īnd now William’s hordes crossed the channel and Harold rode from the north and war drew near. It is rumored that in a deep valley near the border with Scotland there is a dark glade wherein stands the statue of an iron wolf, brown with rust and twined with creeping vines, moss greening its legs. Where the youth had stood, now glowing red and slowly cooling crouched a great iron wolf, a snarl frozen on his lips. You will have your immortality, but you shall wait on Woden’s will to ply your trade.”Īnd with a mighty gust of laughter he rose and lightning struck the insolent blade. “And you stand before me with your sword ready for battle, but foolishness was never part of valor and I cannot let you ravage here unchecked. “So you’ve won eternal life,” Woden roared in mirth.

Then the air was rent with bolts of lightning and peals of thunder, and the youth stood bold with blade drawn. Woden laughed, and the heavens above The Wolf trembled. Woden pondered long and deep, for it was written that who could best a messenger of the gods would gain eternal life on earth. The warrior was truly great, for even the messenger of Woden could not destroy him, and returned to the mountain to admit his failure. The two met and drew blades and their battle raged for a fortnight of new moons from the white cliffs of the south to the bleak rocky shores of the north. Woden, King of the gods, sent a messenger to destroy the upstart who took tribute from the people and challenged the fates. In time his feats came to the ears of the gods on the high mountain between earth and Valhalla. The young man called himself “The Wolf” and preyed upon the people for his wants.

In times of yore when druids roamed the northern forests of England and held their sabbaths in the dark of the moon, a young man grew enamored with battle and violence and studied the arts of war until none could best him.

The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss