Adventures in Interning: Time for a New Talisman

When Kaytlyn returned from the divine realm, she couldn’t find her talisman penguin, Franz, anywhere. Upon checking her bed in her room, the fennec found a voided copy of the contract she had signed. Becoming the Druid Sentinel invalidated the agreement, and Franz had left. Kaytlyn made a mental note to read that contract one day carefully. For now, though, she was without a talisman companion. Not that controlling her magic would be difficult without one now that the fox had divine powers, but it would still be nice to have someone to help and have her back in an emergency.

 

At the altar of the earth mother, Kaytlyn transformed into her Druid Sentinel form. Her clothes changed to a purple dress as the young fennec’s body grew. Four different color tails sprouted behind her to join Kaytlyn’s original one. Each tail glowed with the rune of a different god. Finally, Brick Brick took its place, floating behind her head with a halo of different colored violets. Kaytlyn wondered if there was a spell to add magic to the transformation process for an extra special little touch.

 

“Earth Mother Jord, I seek a companion to help me carry out my sacred duty,” the young Sentinel prayed as she reached out to the divine realm. Kaytlyn could feel reality blurring as the other side bled into this one. Time seemed to freeze as the familiar sounds and feels of the area stopped.

 

“There is a trial you can undertake to be granted such a companion,” Jord, a woman with skin like that of the ash tree and green hair that flowered like vines, remarked. “It can be dangerous but I don’t doubt your abilities to complete it.”

 

Suddenly, the area swirled as Kaytlyn misted far away. When everything stopped spinning, the fox girl was staring straight into a massive pitch-black cave in a dark, snow-covered wilderness. Two large blue eyes opened near the top of the opening as a gigantic white wolf walked out. Runes floated and glowed all around its body as its massive jaw opened. This beast was Fenrir. Kaytlyn knew the stories and looked like a tasty treat for the enormous wolf.

 

“So, the Sentinel has deemed it appropriate to visit my home without an invitation,” a deep voice roared the lupine. “I should eat you where you stand!”

 

“Mighty Fenrir, please excuse my intrusion into your domain,” Kaytlyn pleaded as warm drool fell around the fox. “I need a companion to help me with my sacred duty. Jord brought me here to find such an ally.” With one mighty lurch, the mighty wolf gave the fennec druid a wet whole body lick as he dropped to his belly on the ground.

 

“If you can scratch between my ears, I will let you take one of my children as the companion you seek,” Fenrir declared with an eager pant and wide eyes.

 

“Wait, you just want good boy scratches,” Kaytlyn inquired, confused and mildly soaked with saliva. “We don’t have to fight till I can successfully subdue you or you eat me?”

 

“Nope, you’ll find all of those terrible legends about me are untrue,” the giant wolf’s body wagged, eagerly waiting for his scratches. “Tyr always tells me I’m the number one bestest boy.”

 

With a shrug, the Druid Sentinel did as the mighty beast had requested. She spent hours giving him scratches, belly rubs, and pets. This test was by far the easiest trial she had ever completed. When Fenrir was finally satisfied, he assumed the semi-translucent form of a handsome human with white hair and a tall, muscular build. He led Kaytlyn into his cave, where thousands of wolves of all sizes and fur colors lived. Towards the rear of the expansive underground caverns, a black wolf with a glowing rune above her head.

 

“This is my daughter Kareena,” the human Fenrir introduced the wolf. “She is young and has much to learn but will make a good companion for you.” Kareena rose and stood at a height of around twenty feet at the shoulder.

 

“Hello, nice to meet you Kareena. I am the Druid Sentinel Kaytlyn,” the young fox said, slightly bowing to her new companion. The black-furred wolf sniffed the fennec as her glowing rune spun curiously.

You shall do, for now, Kareena declared in beast speak. I will pile your enemies at your feet and raze the homes of all who oppose you.

 

“For now, why don’t I show you to our home, and we can discuss those other things if they come up,” Kaytlyn gave an awkward little smile with the offer. This partnership was going to be a lot different than working with Franz.