Hamel the White-Horned and the Wolf King Iskale (1)

Written by Flynn Lexton

Have you ever come across a panicking girl standing in a corner of Kastleton Plaza? I know several people who approached this girl, to see what aid they might provide, and all of them received the same response: cold eyes and silence. I also tried to help her and was similarly ignored. I was so curious about what was troubling her that I stood nearby and watched her for several hours. After a while, the girl sighed and finally spoke one sentence:

"I appreciate your concern, but you look too weak."

What manner of response was this? But I was unperturbed by her reply. I am a traveling writer after all, so strength has never been one of my strong suits.

"But I am a great listener. What say you to telling me your story? Maybe I can help you find someone who can assist." The little girl's face suddenly brightened, and she agreed to tell me her tale.

The Blackhowl Plains located to the north of Kastleton are a peaceful land, populated with countless deer and wolves since ancient times. The wolves lived in the woods and caves near the hill where Kastleton Abbey is located. The deer occupied the grassy area north of the lake at the center of the plains. These animals co-existed peacefully without the interference of humans.

Hamel the White-Horned and the Wolf King Iskale (2)

Among the deer, there was one with white horns. This deer towered over all the others. According to the hunters who encountered it, its horns were as tall as the trees of Talandre and its eyes held a deep and abiding wisdom, so much so that even the most veteran of hunters wouldn't dare to approach it. The other deer only reached up to its shoulders. The hunters decided to call this deer Hamel, which means "deep lake waters." Among the hunters, Hamel also means "wise." The deer led by Hamel were difficult to hunt, so much so that it was rumored the hunters of Laslan would simply give up on hunting for the day if they came across Hamel. This difficulty also had an impact on the wolves that preyed on the deer. One of the most famous incidents involving these animals was the battle with Iskale, also known as the Wolf King.

Iskale means "gray-fanged," and this wolf was famous even among hunters, as it was larger and more ferocious than any other black wolf. After unifying the wolves of the Blackhowl Plains, Iskale challenged Hamel to a battle. This great battle lasted two long days, and several hunters bore witness. In the end, Hamel triumphed over Iskale.

With the leader of the wolves defeated, there was no one who could challenge Hamel on the plains. Wounded and humiliated, Iskale took his pack and left the Blackhowl Plains entirely. The legend of Hamel grew among the people, and the plains enjoyed a period of peace.

Hamel the White-Horned and the Wolf King Iskale (3)

The surprising thing was that even though their natural enemy was now gone, the deer population never seemed to grow. Rather, the number of small animals grew, and the plains became a sort of paradise where people could relax. Some hunters claimed this was all thanks to Hamel's wisdom, and they began to worship Hamel like a god.
For almost ten years, the Blackhowl Plains of Laslan were a peaceful region without any dangerous beasts. The people petitioned to rename the region the Plains of Hamel. However, peace never lasts, and every paradise has an end. Hamel's paradise was no exception.

"All the adults remember,"

said the little girl with the wide eyes.

It turns out this strange little girl was quite the storyteller. I certainly don't regret giving her two honey candies and five butter rye cookies in exchange for her tale.
According to the hunters, the trouble started about ten years after Iskale's pack left the Blackhowl Plains. A massive number of wolves suddenly arrived in Northern Laslan, and they took over the Blackhowl Plains in the blink of an eye. Picnickers ran for their lives when they saw the wolves approaching, and many hunters were attacked by the ferocious beasts. One day, the corpse of a large deer was found atop a boulder visible from the Resistance Watchtower. It had massive horns and was much larger than most deer. It was Hamel.

The people, especially the hunters, couldn't believe the news. But when some older hunters checked the corpse of the deer that was taken by the Resistance, they could no longer deny the facts. The people were now terrified, and the plains quickly became a forbidden land.

Hamel the White-Horned and the Wolf King Iskale (4)

Even the hunters fled the Blackhowl Plains. Some of the people who escaped claimed they saw a large wolf with purple eyes and menacing gray teeth at the front of the wolf pack. The older hunters doubted the rumors. Iskale had returned, after all these years? The people didn't even have time to debate the facts, however, as the wolves pressed onward in their relentless assault on the Blackhowl Plains. Countless beasts seized Golden Rye Pastures without even giving the Resistance a chance to fight back. People shrieked and fled to Kastleton, while others took refuge in the Abbey.

As everyone hid, trembling with fear in the village, one boy stood strong. Instead of fleeing, he darted toward the Abbey. That boy was Henry Kastler, the son of Lord Hobs.

Henry Kastler was Hobs's only son. Lord Hobs often worried about him, as he'd been quite ill and frail, ever since he was a child. But Henry was well-liked by all the other village children, and he dreamt that he would be stronger when he was grown, so that he could defend Laslan like his father and uncle. Now that he was in his teenage years, he was close to fulfilling those dreams.
The little girl's eyes suddenly filled with tears as she told the story.

"If Henry hadn't come that day, I probably would have died in the Abbey."

The story she told me then was hard to believe, but she claimed that there are adults who can corroborate her tale. Ultimately, I believed her. Even if she exaggerated, the facts still remain. On that day, Henry Kastler burned down the Abbey and killed the monstrous Iskale.

Hamel the White-Horned and the Wolf King Iskale (5)

According to the little girl, not only did Henry bravely fell the wolves with his sword, but he even escorted all the children to the village before going back to the Abbey to kill Iskale once and for all.
In the end, the wolves' assault stopped at the Abbey. After losing their leader, the wolves scattered back to the plains. The same land that was once called the Plains of Hamel became known as the Blackhowl Plains again. After losing their leader, the deer became ordinary deer once more. Only now, when it was time for a deer to die, they would go to the boulder where Hamel's corpse was found and wait for death to come to them. Some people believed this meant Hamel's soul was still watching over the deer.

"That's why we still do something every year in remembrance of Henry."

"And that's why I'm going to get the Keepsake from the Wolf Hunting Contest this year!"

This was definitely something she couldn't request from someone who was too weak. But I had a feeling this little girl would manage to find another hero to make her wish come true. I'm glad that the snacks I offered her gave me a chance to record such a heartwarming story about the Wolf Hunting Contest held in the Blackhowl Plains of Laslan. I sincerely hope that little girl will be able to honor her fallen hero, this year.