Episode 2: “Taming the Phantom”

Genre: Fantasy 

Protagonist: Heroic

Antagonist: Monster

Subgenre 1: Paranormal 

Subgenre 2: Cozy

Must Contain: A date

Trope: Instant Love

The Barrouden War was finally over. Between the Kingdom of Tristiana and the Kingdom of Eldyn, the rolling valleys nourished themselves with the blood of thousands of slain soldiers. Scavengers trudged through the decomposing corpses, hoping to find jewelry, gems, and other adornments among the disowned plate armor. They worked quickly to clean up the casualties and return the scenery to its once former glory. But that job was for the coroners, doctors, and street sweepers of the Kingdoms. As for the knights, they took their well deserved time off.

One such knight was Hector, a close combat specialist who wielded a broadsword with a grace and elegance that the lesser experienced knights only hoped to achieve. With his skills, he served the Kingdom of Eldyn until the final surrender of King Taness. However, Hector cared not for the rewards of his grand achievements on the battlefield, nor for the recognition of King Nodalt. Right now, he had a promise to keep. 

Rebecca was the daughter of the Kingdom’s chief blacksmith. While he worked tirelessly to craft weapons for the King’s army, Rebecca would take care of the homely chores such as the laundry and the cooking. But often, she would leave their house to wander into the middle of the town’s square, petting every stray dog and cat who rubbed up against her leg. It was during such an occasion where she met Hector. In her time of need, when her emotions ran high, Hector came to the rescue…and saved a cat from a tree. Ever since that moment, they continued to talk and flirt until the dreaded moment came when Hector was drafted to fight in the Barrouden War. Rebecca was devastated, fearing he would surely be killed. Sensing her fear, Hector knelt beside her, grabbed her hand, and made a promise. 

I will make it back from the war, and when I do, I will take you on the most lovely picnic you’ve ever had.

Her father’s raspy baritone pierced through the walls of their house, and she could hear much jubilation happening out by the forge. Rebecca bolted outside, happy to hear a confident man greet her father. 

“Hector!” she ran toward him. She had to jump to wrap her arms around the shoulders of the six and a half foot behemoth, and his arms caught her and kept her off the ground. As he lowered her, she swooned at his strength and anxiously awaited tales of the war. But Hector only had one thought on his mind. He asked Rebecca once again if she would join him for a picnic, and she accepted without hesitation. The sizzling of hot iron being cooled by water interrupted their conversation, and they eventually went their separate ways to prepare for their date tomorrow morning. 

There was a renewed peace within the castle walls as the other knights showed off their medals granted by King Nodalt. Hector had received one too, but today, he did not wear it around his neck. Rather, it hung from the corner of one of his two dining table chairs. He straightened his tunic, which bore the light blue and gold accents of the Kingdom of Eldyn. As he pulled up his tan trousers, he eyed the basket on the table, his heart racing at the thought of spending time with Rebecca. Fighting a years-long war had dulled Hector’s senses slightly, but seeing the woman of his dreams yesterday had reinvigorated his spirit. This time, he intended to ask her to spend the rest of her life with him, thinking that another war was not on the horizon. 

With a final groom of his scruffy hair and an application of perfume, he left to fetch his maiden. Rebecca had been waiting outside of the blacksmith’s house with a folded blanket on her lap. She set it inside the basket, and they made their way out of the town. 

“I don’t think I ever asked,” Rebecca interrupted the calm ambience. “Where are you taking us for our picnic?”

Hector wrapped his arm around her shoulders as they walked. “Only the most beautiful of places for the most beautiful of women!”

Rebecca giggled at the compliment. “And where would that be?” 

“The Westbrook Forest!” Hector projected proudly.

Panicked, she pulled herself away from Hector. “But! But!”

“What is it, dearest?” Hector attempted to calm her.

“Isn’t there a hideous creature in those woods?” 

Hector processed her words. “What are you talking about?”

“My father told me about it once,” Rebecca said while breathing heavily. “The villagers call it the Westbrook Phantom!” 

“I’ve not heard of it,” Hector muttered. “But if it comes our way, I shall protect you!”

“You’re a great knight, but I heard it cannot be defeated by any sword or fist.”

“Then I shall break off a tree branch and beat it to death slowly!”

“No, Hector, you don’t understand what kind of danger we’re in.”

“How so?”

“Supposedly, the Westbrook Phantom can teleport and turn invisible. One of the tavern regulars had its arm bitten off!”

Hector paused, trying to salvage the moment. “So, shall I grab my armor?”

Rebecca groaned. “No. I’m sure as long as we stay on the outskirts of the forest, it won’t come our way.”

“Then we shall find a spot on the outskirts, and preferably by the river.”

Rebecca gasped. “You remembered how much I love the river!”

“I will remember anything to do with you,” Hector smiled. They approached the forest, running toward the shade to save themselves from the blistering mid-afternoon sun. As they caught their breath, they unfurled the blanket and laid it on the grass. Hector shooed away a line of ants as they pulled out pieces of sliced boar, cheese, apples, and carrots with an herb and mayonnaise dressing. Cherishing their time together, they tuned out the rest of the world as they exchanged stories about the war and joked about all the time they missed together. 

Their conversation was interrupted by a high pitched, slow growl. Hector held out an apple toward Rebecca. “I heard your stomach. Are you hungry?”

“That wasn’t me,” Rebecca tensed. The growling resumed. Hector stood and readied a fighting stance. To his right, he could see a cloud of waves like the heat that comes off a campfire. He flung his fist toward the cloud, and a loud shattering noise emanated from the flashing light where his fist floated. Rebecca hid behind him as a warble resonated from the branch of a tree. Thinking quickly, Hector picked up a rock and threw it toward the noise, only for another shattering noise and a flash of light to spark among the leaves. 

“What’s going on?” Hector yelled.

Rebecca shushed him. “Don’t scare it!” 

“Scare what?” 

Something pounded the ground in front of Hector, creating indents in the blanket. The waves of invisibility started to disappear as an opaque figure started to form. What appeared before them was a black cat-like creature stalking them on all four paws. The creature had fangs protruding from its jowl, whiskers as sharp as knives, and two horns that pointed backward. 

Rebecca gasped. Hector formed two fists and anticipated the creature’s attack. “Listen to me carefully, Rebecca. I must protect you from this beast! So quickly, run away!” Despite his warning, the woman continued clinging to his back and looking over his shoulde with a wide open smile. “Rebecca? What’s the matter?”

She paused, seemingly excited at the appearance of the creature. Without warning, she yelled, “Kitty!” 

Hector kept his guard up while turning to look confusedly at Rebecca. “Kitty?” he reiterated. “You just told me it ripped some guy’s arm off!” 

“I’ll let it rip my arm off,” she said almost impulsively. 

“What?” Hector turned his attention back toward the creature. “Enough of this! I shall throw you in the river where your body…”

“No!” Rebecca rounded his body and kneeled in front of the creature. “Don’t!”

“Rebecca, be careful. That monster’s…” Hector calmed down after watching the creature pull its fangs back into its snout and place its head on Rebecca’s shoulders. She reached up to pet its medium-furred head, and it began to purr. “WHAT?”

“Why do you want to hurt the baby?” Rebecca said in a higher pitched voice.

“That thing is the Westbrook Phantom! A dangerous beast!”

“And I love him,” Rebecca turned herself and rubbed her head against its shoulder.

Hector sat back down, stunned from disbelief. “Surely, you must be kidding.” 

“Here, baby,” Rebecca said to the creature. “You want some sliced boar?” The Phantom let out a low growl. It sounded intimidating even though the creature could not be happier. It accepted the boar with gentle bites. “See, Hector, he’s just a sweet baby.”

“I can’t believe you actually calmed him. He was ready to pounce me.”

Rebecca ignored Hector and faced the creature. “Who’s a sweet baby?” she said as she rubbed its cheeks, careful to avoid its sharp whiskers. “Now, what can we name you? How about…Dudley!”

Hector’s jaw dropped. “That thing has fangs! And you’re going to call it something as dumb as Dudley?”

“It’s not a dumb name; it’s a cute name. Now, come over! Give him a pet.”

Hector puffed his chest and walked slowly toward the animal, holding out his hand. The creature growled and circled in front of Rebecca. 

“Is he…” Hector paused. “Is he protecting you?”

“He is! Good boy!”

“Rebecca…” Hector groaned in defeat.

“Listen, Hector. I know this isn’t how you imagined this picnic would go. But I love Dudley so much! I wish you could feel his fur. It’s so soft.”

“Okay,” he paused in contemplation. Finally, he made a declaration that would surely win the heart of his date. “Then I have no choice. I shall teach the creature…”

“Dudley,” she interrupted. 

“Yes, well, then I shall teach Dudley to like me.”

“Do you think you can?” she said as Dudley growled. “You seem to have an uphill battle ahead of you.”

“Then allow me to present to you a challenge. If I manage to pet the creature’s head without it attacking me, then we shall go on a second date, maybe on the plains of the old battles after they clean everything up. And if I should surrender or fail to make the beast comfortable with me, then I shall never speak to you again.”

“Interesting offer,” Rebecca wrapped her arms around Dudley’s neck. “What do you think, baby?”

“Seriously?” Hector slumped while Dudley turned invisible. 

“I accept,” Rebecca sighed. 

Hector noticed her gloomy demeanor and hugged her. “What’s wrong?”

“I hope you don’t fail. I don’t want to never speak to you again.”

“That’s why I must befriend the creature. It’s suddenly become an important part of your life, and I want to do the same…OUCH!” Hector looked at his leg to see shallow puncture wounds being obscured by Dudley’s black fur. 

“That’s a sweet gesture,” Rebecca laughed as she signaled for Dudley to release his grip. “But you seem to have a long way to go. However, would you allow me to help you?”

“Yes,” Hector ripped a patch off the blanket and wrapped it around his leg. “Your assistance may be needed.”

“Say no more,” Rebecca bolted toward the picnic basket. “Here, we still have some sliced boar. He seemed to like it, so give it a try.”

Hector nodded and grabbed the boar. He inched toward Dudley, holding the meat in front of him. Halfway to Dudley though, the creature disappeared into a flash of light. “Great,” Hector sighed. A warbling noise echoed beside him as Dudley snatched the boar out of his hand before teleporting away. Hector reeled his hand back, scared that he may have been injured. Rebecca looked around for the creature, only to hear the warbling near the picnic basket. Dudley’s head widened the opening of the basket as he reached in for the rest of the boar, devouring it in a single chomp. 

Rebecca tried to hold in her laughter. “It was a good plan.” 

“The creature’s clever,” Hector muttered. “If I’m to tame it, then I must outwit it.”

“How about playing a game with him?” Rebecca ran toward a tree. “You can play fetch with one of the branches.” 

“What a wonderful idea!” Hector ripped off a branch that matched the thickness of his arms. “Here, kitty, kitty.”

Dudley turned away from the basket and growled. Hector waved the branch slowly before tossing it into the forest. He looked toward the creature, who had teleported to Rebecca’s side. “Nothing?” Hector pointed to where he threw the branch, only for the creature to hiss at his aggressive gesture. He tore off another branch and tried again. However, Dudley lunged. Hector gripped the other side and caught the branch in Dudley’s mouth. Seeing his chance, Hector reached toward the creature’s head. Dudley chomped down on the branch, breaking it in half, before backing away and turning invisible. 

“No!” Hector threw his arms up. “I almost had it.”

Rebecca walked over and hugged him. “We can call off this challenge if you’d like to. I didn’t intend to upset you.”

“No, you’re not upsetting me. I know your attachment to this thing is strong, and you know I’d do anything for you.” 

“I’m aware. Although today has gone in an interesting direction, I’m still enjoying my day with you.” 

“As am I,” Hector paused. “So, does that mean I no longer have to tame the Phantom?”

Rebecca smirked. “No, it’s not necessary.”

“Fantastic!” Hector threw the broken branch toward the forest, only for it to bounce in a different direction. “What was that?” 

“Did it hit something?”

“It looks like it,” Hector crept toward where the branch landed. A sting penetrated his arm, and blood dripped out of the newly formed scratches. 

“Dudley?” Rebecca cried out. 

“That’s who you’re worried about?” Their argument was interrupted by a cloak of invisibility unraveling to reveal a white spotted creature that looked just like the Phantom, except it had a milky left eye and a taller frame. It roared at Hector, who shielded Rebecca. “Run!” he shouted. “Run and do not stop! Unless you want to fall in love with this one too.”

“No,” Rebecca’s shaky voice said. “I’m not leaving you here to fend for yourself.”

Not wanting to make any sudden movements, Hector picked up the nearest object, the picnic basket. “Have at you, foul creature!” The white beast snapped, and Hector moved his hand away from its jaws. Rebecca tried to rip another branch from a tree and fashion a weapon for Hector. The creature heard the snap and rushed toward her. “NO!” Hector yelled. 

Before reaching her, a shimmering sound broke the creature’s concentration. A horned black cat fell from the treetops and landed on the beast, digging its fangs into the neck. 

“Dudley!” Rebecca jumped. The monsters continued to swipe at each other until the white creature thrust its legs into Dudley’s chest and sent him flying toward the picnic blanket. He lay there panting while Hector ran to his side. 

“Dudley, are you okay?” Hector inspected Dudley’s body. In his panic, he had not realized that Dudley had allowed him to touch his fur. Rebecca handed the sharpened branch to Hector as the white creature circled around them. “Take care of Dudley! I’ll handle the monster.”

“Hector, wait,” Rebecca stepped back as Dudley slowly regained his composure. He licked a wound on his arm before letting out a shrill roar. Hector readied his weapon as he felt fur brush against his leg. Dudley looked up at him with a renewed respect, and the two stood together, ready to take on the beast. 

The knight yelled, and Dudley rushed toward the beast’s side to distract it from Hector’s charge. Hector failed to see the creature’s tail hit his side, knocking him to the ground. He reached for the branch only for the white creature to crush it under one of its paws. A shadow engulfed Hector as the creature stood over him and looked at him with bloodlust in its eye. Before it could lunge, Dudley teleported onto the beast’s back and pulled on its scruff with his mouth. Hector crawled away while the two creatures tousled. After some struggle, Dudley had the white beast on its back while he stood on top of it. He roared directly in the creature’s face, and it started whimpering. The creature squirmed as Dudley backed off of it. Submitting to Dudley’s dominance, it scurried off into the depths of the forest. 

Rebecca kneeled beside the limping creature and hugged it. His aggressive growling lowered into a soft purr as Rebecca tore the picnic blanket into strips to bandage his wounds. Dudley thanked her with a gentle lick on her face before moving toward Hector, who stood intimidated by the creature, not knowing what kind of terms they were on. His fears dissipated as Dudley rubbed himself on the knight’s legs before sitting down to face him. He bowed his head, inviting Hector to complete the challenge. Rebecca excitedly watched as Hector slowly reached his hand toward the animal once known as the Westbrook Phantom and placed his hand on his head. Dudley purred as the hand rubbed him from horn to horn. 

“You did it!” Rebecca wiped a tear away and hugged Hector. “I knew you could do it.”

“Of course I could,” Hector elated with a new sense of bravery. “Do you think I survived a three year-long war to be defeated by such a sweet creature?”

“A creature you were wanting to fight an hour ago,” she giggled as she wrapped her arms around Hector’s neck.

“What can I say? I learned to love this creature because I love you.”

“Hector!” she gasped. “I love you too. Do you really mean it?”

“I do. The challenge wasn’t taming this beast; it was winning your heart.”

Rebecca blushed. “Come on, I want to tell my father.”

“Yes, we shall head back to town immediately.”

A curious whimper interrupted their celebration. Dudley crept toward them with his tail tucked between his legs. 

“And is Dudley coming with us?” Hector asked. 

“Of course,” Rebecca said with some doubt. “I’m sure my father would be okay with that…maybe.”

“You know,” Hector’s shyness kept his words from coming out. “If your father doesn’t approve of him, you and Dudley could always stay with me.” 

“I would love that,” Rebecca grabbed him by the collar and kissed him. As Hector recovered from the sudden showcase of love, the creature nudged the two away from each other. Right as the sun started to set, they made the long walk back into the town. 

As they neared the front gate, Hector noticed two guards near the gate and tapped Dudley on the shoulder. Within seconds, he had turned invisible. The group casually passed the guards, who turned around in confusion.

“Excuse me,” the first guard called. 

“Can I help you?” Hector answered. 

“Did you not have a four legged animal with you?” 

Hector and Rebecca looked at each other, playing along with the ruse. “No sir,” she shook her head. “It’s just the two of us.” 

A dull growl rumbled next to them. Hector nudged the cloaked creature and whispered for it to quit.

“What was that?” the second guard advanced. “I heard something growl.”

Hector laughed. “Forgive me, I haven’t had any lunch. We were just heading to the tavern for some turkey legs and boiled potatoes.”

“Well,” the first guard paused. “You both may go. However, you should bring us a flask of mead if you’re feeling generous.”

“We’ll see what we can do,” Hector smirked.

“Elderflower mead if they have it!” the second guard clarified. 

“I’ll remember that,” Rebecca waved as they continued toward her father’s house. She whispered to Hector. “That was close. Do they even know Dudley’s the Westbrook Phantom?”

Hector shrugged. “We could always tell them that the white cat was the Phantom.” 

“I never thought of that,” Rebecca pondered as they approached her father’s house. Sparks flew from an anvil as her father shaped a glowing red sword with his hammer. “Father!”

“Rebecca,” her father elated as he struck the sword again. A chunk of molten metal flew from the blade and just barely missed Hector. However, a sizzle resonated from the air. The patch of singed fur formed as Dudley stepped backward. As the invisibility disappeared, a collective gasp from the villagers covered the sound of the guards mobilizing, pointing their spears at the frightened creature. It roared before teleporting to the blacksmith’s roof. 

“Have you all gone mad?” Hector yelled at the fervent crowd. “This creature is harmless!” 

“No, boy,” Rebecca’s father dropped his tools and rose from the forge. “That’s the Westbrook Phantom, demon of the forest, slayer of men.”

“You don’t understand. I’ve tamed the beast!”

“Then why did it get so aggressive? It could have killed us all,” a villager interrupted. 

“It was an accident,” Rebecca cried. “He got spooked, that’s all!” 

“That thing is dangerous,” another villager held up a sign with an exaggerated illustration of Dudley. “And it also has a fifty thousand gold bounty on its head.” 

The crowd turned ravenous as it approached the blacksmith’s house. Rebecca kept shouting at the crowd to stop until Hector held his hands up to cease the excitement. 

“May I see that bounty poster?” Hector pleaded. The villager reluctantly handed it over, and Hector inspected it closely. His jaw dropped at the small oversight that just might save Dudley from the villagers’ wrath. “Look closely! The creature on the roof is not the one you seek.”

“How do you know that? You’re only trying to protect it!” shouted a villager. 

“Look at its eyes!” Hector pointed to the murmuring of the crowd. “As you can see, Dudley here has both eyes intact. Now if you look at the poster, do you notice the lack of a pupil of the left eye?”

“Could be a mistake,” Rebecca’s father grunted. “The pupil must have faded.”

“With all due respect, have you considered as well that the Phantom may not have black fur?” 

The crowd paused. 

Hector continued, “Do you not think that if the Phantom were a black creature that the artist would have filled in the fur?”

“What are you saying?” a guard lowered his weapon.

“I’m saying that the beast that’s on the roof is not the Phantom. I know this because if I’m correct about the poster, I faced the actual Phantom in the Westbrook forest. It had white, speckled fur, and its left eye had been blinded. I wouldn’t be alive right now if Dudley, the creature on the roof, had not saved me.”

Rebecca looked longingly at Hector while Dudley teleported beside him. Hector kneeled down and allowed Dudley to cuddle into his side. The villagers collectively eased their guard and applauded the sweet gesture. Many of them even approached Dudley, who allowed them to give him scratches on his head. The blacksmith laid a strong hand on Hector’s shoulder and smiled. 

“You’re not only brave, lad, but you’re clever,” her father nodded with approval. “Now, what are you going to do with that thing?”

Hector hesitated, not anticipating to ask this gruff man such a pivotal question. “Well, sir,” he said stoically, “I was going to have Dudley come live with me. And, if you’ll allow it, I’d like Rebecca to live with me as well.” 

“Absolutely not,” her father snapped. Hector reeled in astonishment before her father laughed with his whole chest. “I’m just kidding, boy. If that is what she wishes, then I will allow it. Rebecca?”

She left Dudley to soak in the attention from the townsfolk as she ran toward the two. “Yes?”

“Does he treat you well?” 

She looked at Hector, who stayed silent as she thought. “He does. I think I love him.”

“Then I’ll allow you two to live a happy life together. Just don’t forget to visit,” her father opened his arms for a hug. Rebecca fell into them before Hector and Dudley led her away from the blacksmith’s hut. 

That night, Hector lit his fireplace and laid a woven rug in front of it. Dudley curled up on the rug while his purring echoed through the house. The house filled with the smell of cinnamon and apple as Rebecca pulled a steaming apple pie out of the clay oven. As Hector pulled every blanket out of a closet, Rebecca cut two slices of pie and whipped some cream to put on the side. She brought the two plates into the living room to find the blankets sprawled over the couch with Hector inviting her to join him under one of the covers. Before she obliged, she crept behind Dudley and held a raw apple slice in front of his snout. He gently accepted the treat before closing his eyes and falling back asleep. 

“Can you believe he bit you this morning?” Rebecca chuckled. “Now look at him.”

“All curled up and warm,” Hector sighed in contentment.

“What a day,” Rebecca leaned on his shoulder after sitting down. 

Hector took a bite of pie, hiding the burning sensation of the slice that had not cooled down all the way. “Tell me about it. Shall we go back tomorrow?” 

“Not until I sew a harness for Dudley. I want him to come along with us.”

Hector looked gently at the creature, who started snoring. “Me too.”

© D. S. Bertolo Books | 2023

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