Chapter 11: Ancient Battle

"Yes, we are the only members of the wolf clan here today, as far as I know," Percival replied in a whisper. "Don't look so worried."

"Wait a minute," Raul countered quickly. "Who says I'm a member?"

"Alright, calm down," Percival said in a soft voice. "Let's just be objective. I will tell you what you need to know, although I am jumping ahead of your father in doing something which should be his privilege. But, I am doing you a favour as a friend because you heard about your true identity in a manner that is very unusual already."

Raul sat back in his chair and tried to steel himself for whatever he still had to hear about his father. He continued to maintain the stance that it was his father's identity and not his which was in question. He also made a mental note to ask Percival about Patrice.

The film was dramatic from the outset. There were thunderous clouds on the screen and equally dramatic music to accompany them. The werewolves had eyes filled with fire.

"Now, see," Percival began. "Our parents were born centuries ago and have fought and won many battles in the forests, the oceans and even in the air. In ancient times we fought in the forest, with swords, then a few centuries later, we fought on the ocean in boats and ships. We used live ammunition then, as well as more recently, when we fought in helicopters and warplanes. We do fight as wolves in the heat of a battle on the ground, when either fear, or some other intense emotions such as rage suddenly overtake us."

"So, you only turn into wolves when you are filled with intense emotion?" Raul asked, offhandedly. He tried not to pay close attention because this was Percival's project. It had very little to do with him, he told himself repeatedly.

"Yes, but we can also do it at will, when we are more accustomed to our abilities," Percival explained animatedly. "My mother was a powerful warrior herself and she won many battles. Unlike your parents, both mine descended from the wolf tribe," Percival said with a proud expression on his face.

Raul looked around to see whether anyone was listening to them. The movie was too dramatic to be ignored by the audience, though.

"We won a very big battle against the eagle tribe just about fifty years ago and that's why we rule the ancient, but modern city of Uzzah," Percival said confidently.

"How did you win?" Raul asked while he kept his eyes on the screen. Some of the green-eyed monsters seemed almost real. It was more profound than the previous night's film which they had watched in his bedroom.

"Let me first tell you what the battle was about," Percival said as he leaned back comfortably in his seat.

"Alright, carry on," Raul responded. He could see that Percival was really enjoying himself.

"Now see, there was this extremely beautiful girl back then and she was a movie star," Percival continued dramatically. "The only problem for her was that two powerful men were infatuated with her. One from the wolf tribe and the other from the eagle tribe."

"So they decided to fight a duel over her?" Raul asked in a bored manner.

"Well, yes, but not just any duel. It was a full onslaught of war," Percival said and gestured dramatically with his hands. "There were men on both sides of the two fighters. Some were even flying above the battle area in aircraft, just to keep an eye on the events and report back to their respective headquarters."

"And the eagles lost the battle because the werewolves changed into wolf form before the eagles could change into eagle form?" Raul completed the story on Percival's behalf.

"Who told you that?" Percival asked, offended.

"Remember, I did go to Garett after I left your place the other night," Raul reminded Percival with a lifted left eyebrow.

"Okay, well that's true," Percival agreed reluctantly. "But try to imagine how spectacular it was, with hundreds of eagle clan members being slaughtered by vicious wolves."

Just then there was a loud clap of thunder accompanying a battle on the movie screen and both young men almost jumped off their seats with shock.

Raul now experienced a sense of urgency about going home and cutting the session short. He somehow felt that his father had to tell him the rest.

"So then, was your mother really a witch when she was so powerful?" Raul asked impulsively.

There was a lull in the noise levels right at the moment and so the question came out louder than he had intended.

"What are you talking about in such a public place?" Percival asked indignantly.

"But, you said it was the most confidential way of discussing these things," Raul objected.

"Yes, but let's leave my mother out of it because we are talking about a battle which had nothing to do with witchcraft," Percival whispered fiercely.

"You will talk to me about it again at some other time," Raul responded as he rose. "I have to go home now."

Percival did not object because he was done with the confidential part of the discussion.

As they left the cinema, Raul felt relieved to be away from all the noise. He needed some peace and quiet so that he could do some thinking.

"Now, what I was trying to say back there was that timing is everything in life," Percival said, his dark eyes glinting with excitement.

"Sure, we can talk again at your home tomorrow night because it is Friday, at least," Raul suggested. He felt that it would be more natural to talk about Patrice from there.

A dark blue sports vehicle pulled up alongside them when they were walking on the pavement towards their own cars which were parked outside of the shopping centre.

"Hello, you two hunks," a lady with fiery red hair leaned towards them from behind the steering wheel.

"Oh, hi, Gemima," Percival responded.

Raul was ready to avoid any invitations from this lady, but then he suddenly remembered the episode about the girls who went missing last year. How exactly did they become abducted? Were they perhaps frivolous like this one, or were they timid? He stared at the girl intently.

"Oh, my!" the girl said as her green eyes met Raul's. "You sure have an intense look. Are you a model, or what?"

That was the last thing which Raul had expected.

"Gemima, you came just in time," Percival responded. "How about a quick trip to your father's nightclub?"

"Wait," Raul responded quickly. "Where is this nightclub?"

"Oh, you will absolutely love the unassuming setting," Gemima responded with a laugh.

"What do you mean?" Raul asked suspiciously.

"It is actually at a sacred place of worship," Gemima replied with a bright and charming smile revealing perfect, white teeth.