The Adventures of Father Canis

by Michele deBes

I have travelled many wild trails since my last letter and winter has been close on my heals. Luckily I outran its cold fingers and reached the valley of Statlogia where spring had started to warm the earth. I have had many adventures of the natural kind in these wild beautiful mountains, times when I have faced death from beast and weather but I know you require of my only tales of the supernatural. I freely admit these scare me more than dangers of the real world which test our bodies and minds. To venture away from the love of Jesus out to where his light does not shine is to test ones faith and one’s very heart. And father I am beginning to wonder if I have the heart for it any longer.

By the time I reached the village my strength had diminished from the privation of the mountains. I must have appeared a madman limping out of the forest, skinny as a scarecrow. Yet they treated me very well and I was taken in by a family where the mother was a lay healer named Narella. With expert care she cleaned the long gashes where the wolf had caught my leg. The herbal unction she applied was most efficacious. She bound my sprained shoulder where I had slipped and held on by one arm dangling over a chasm in a snowstorm.

My health improved rapidly, fortified by the strong soups and excellent bread and goat cheese. The cut above my eye soon healed and I was left with a fine exclamation mark reaching halfway across my temple. Narella said even that would fade with more application of herbs. I found her ministration so expert that I ventured some of her herbal potions that she brewed specially for me and I began to feel my strength return. I found my old aches and pains were being healed too, old scars were fading day by day.

When the fever passed and I was well enough to carry on a coherent conversation, I learned that my initial idea of the family was wrong. She was not the mother of the three children, although she cared for them as if they were her own. Kerard was not her husband but her apprentice even though she made love to him as if they were wedded. I heard them in the early hours of the morning and taken it for the healthy exuberance for making more of the delightful children. It is not my place to judge there union but it seemed to be one sanctioned by the villages in general. I soon learned that Narella was the leader of this village. They trusted and loved her and I could see why. She was luminous with care and devotion. And too well education by far for a simple mountain woman. She liked to talk and I had many an interesting conversation as we sat on her balcony basking in the late afternoon sun. It took some time before I was able to talk her round to telling me her origins. She was a Druid priestess living quietly with her retinue in this valley and had been for many years. She longed for news of the outside world and I was able to enlighten her with my tales. Our talk turned to religion and here we had our deepest discussions. She loved to argue and I don’t shy away from one either so we plumbed the depths of each others convictions . World apart though our views were, I have rarely found another human with whom I had come to such a mutual understanding.

It was with a heavy heart that I prepared my departure from this haven in the hills. With the return of my health came the return of my restlessness and however pleasant, I knew my days there were numbered.

I told Narella of my intention and she sighed and game me a sad smile but did not try to persuade me to stay longer and I admit to feeling disappointed at this.

On the night before my departure she organised a dinner in my honour and asked the dignitaries form the village to attend. Despite the excellent food and wine it was a sombre affair and I was touched by their despondency thinking they were sad to see me go.

We were just enjoying a most fragrant desert wine when our conversation was disturbed by a low growing sound outside. The members of our dinner party stiffened and the children’s’ eyes grew large as saucers. I looked to Narella but she sat calmly, a look of resignation on her face as she looked to the window. I followed her gaze and caught a glimpse of silver fur flash past. I jumped to my feet. I had seen a snow leopard from a distance in the mountains and I recognised the sheen of its thick pelt. I rushed to the window and pulled in the shutters. Another growl spun me round and I saw a baleful eyes and massive jaw outside another window and I dove for the shutters.

“We must lock up the house.” I shouted. “The beast is huge.”

I ran from room to room slamming shutter and bolting them tight as the growls grew in ferocity.

When I returned to the front room I was shocked to find Narella standing by the door holding it open, her other hand raised as if beckoning a visitor to enter.

The beast flowed into the room, it’s shiny fur rippling over bunched muscles. I stood mesmerised as its huge green eyes locked with Narella, its glistening white teeth dripped with saliva, its maw a ghastly red against the white of its coat. It rose on its back legs and they straightened, its chest expanding, its front legs bending is a sickening way as it transformed into something resembling a man, and its roar modulated to a deep grumbling voice.

“I have come for my tribute.” It said as its ears brushed the ceiling and Narella nodded.

My hand had instinctively gone to the cross at my throat and I gripped it tightly.
“What unholy business is this” I demanded.

The beast turned and its green eyes locked with mine.

“A taste of human flesh is all I need. Who will pay today.” it said.

I felt a nausea rise at the very idea.

“No. Be gone demon.” I commanded and its roar filled the room.

Narella raised her eyes to mine.

“If not today then tomorrow.” She said and her voice was cold and flat “Let him take one bite of your flesh as payment for our hospitality. I will heal you as I will heal all here tonight.

“You mean you let this demon feed on the children?” I gasped and she dropped her eyes.

“All must pay and all will be healed and we will live in prosperity.” She said.

“In gods name no.” I cried and dragged my eyes from her merciless gaze where I had glimpsed the cruelty of the beast and I realised that in this pact she had made with the demon she had lost her humanity.

But I was not ready to submit to a demon’s appetite.

“In the name of the father, the son and the holy ghost I command thee gone.” I intoned as I held my crucifix before me and took a step toward the demon.

It shrank back dropping to all fours again taking the shape of the huge cat, snarling and spitting as I took another step towards it. I felt the righteous rage fill me as I commanded it gone again and again till it slunk from the room and I slammed the door.

Narella returned to her place at the head of the table as if she had just seen out a troublesome guest. The children turned their gaze down to their deserts and continued to eat happily. The men returned to their wine and sipped with satisfaction.

I gazed with disbelief at the scene before me, cold shivers running the length of my spine. The villagers were trapped in some hell world, some half life that in my weakened state had take for a happy rural life.

Narella filled my glass and held it out to me, her eyes blank and cold.

“I do not share wine with the friends of demons.” I said and I went and gathered my possessions. I left them seated around the tale and ventured out into the night. I held my crucifix before me but here was no sigh of the beast. I walked for three days without sleeping to get as far away from that dammed place before I dare close my eyes and take some rest.

The strength and vitality stayed with me, carrying me over the rugged terrain and I began to understand the nature of the trade she had made with the demon. The promise of good health, strength and longevity bought at a terrible price. To have ones soul devoured bite by bite could only be a living hell.

But the further I ran, the more guilty I felt and the more certain that I had failed these people, especially the children. I has tormented me ever since and my unfailing sense of wellbeing has felt like a curse.

However as always I find solace in writing to you and placing the facts in a logical order has made me realise that I was lucky to have escaped that high mountain valley with my soul intact.

As always you humble servant

Father Canis.