Under the shadow of the moon: Werewolf in Belgium

By Jamie Stas

"Under the Shadow of the Moon" is a captivating adventure that sweeps you into the lives of two brave young individuals, Laura and Thomas. Their quiet life in a sleepy Belgian village takes an abrupt turn when they decide to investigate the legend of the werewolf that has their village in its grip. They journey to the ruins of the ancient Kolmont castle, and here their adventure begins, leading them across terrifying forests, raging rivers, and ultimately to the cave of the dreadful beast.

During their quest, they come face to face with the unexpected - an ancient curse, a lost silver spear, and a creature trapped between two worlds. But amid all these hardships, they discover something more valuable - courage, compassion, and a love that transcends the boundaries of time and fear.

"Under the Shadow of the Moon" is a tale of courage, adventure, and the unexpected paths on which love can find us, even in the shadow of our greatest fears.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9781447669395

Book preview

Chapter 1: The Old City of Tongeren, A Living Legend

At the crack of dawn on an early summer morning, Thomas cautiously set his foot outside the door of his modest home, nestled in the deepest heart of Tongeren. Under the soft light of the rising sun, morning dew glistened on the ancient cobblestones that lined the town's winding streets. These paving stones, each with its own story, had seen centuries of footsteps and testified to the rich history that gripped the town.

As he took the first steps of the day, Thomas sniffed the pungent smell of the old town. It was a mixture of the slightly sweet smell of freshly baked bread straight from the ovens of the local artisan bakery, the intoxicating scent of flowers just beginning to bud in the miniature gardens that adorned the town, and a touch of antiquity the distinctive smell of Tongeren, which breathed the aroma of the past.

For Thomas, history had always been more than an interest; it was a passion deeply rooted in his soul. In his eyes, Tongeren was no ordinary city, but a living, breathing history book, infused with timeless stories waiting to be discovered. Every alley, every street and every building breathed stories of heroes and villains, of love and loss, of triumphs and tragedies.

One of the most powerful symbols of history was the Roman wall that still encircled the city, a silent witness to the past that watched over the city like an eternal guardian. At the heart of the city was the impressive statue of Ambiorix in the Grand Place, the proud leader of the Eburones, whose courage and determination had enabled him to resist the Roman legion in 54 B.C. These symbols of the past were a constant reminder for Thomas, a nod to the rich history that formed the city's identity.

In the annals of Belgian history, Tongeren is renowned as the oldest city in the country, an honorable distinction that filled Thomas with immense pride. In his eyes, the city was not just a place to live, but it was a treasure trove of timeless stories and monuments.

Thomas made his daily trek through the city's quaint streets and looked up at the majestic Basilica of Our Lady, a glorious structure that rises proudly against the clear blue sky. Dating back to the 13th century, the impressive structure is an architectural jewel that stands as a worthy symbol for the city.

Thomas had always had a deep fascination with the basilica, with its imposing Gothic towers and its underground Romanesque crypt. Over time, this monument of unparalleled splendor had held a special place in his heart. He knew every corner, every stone, every inscription in that building every detail was as familiar to him as the lines in his own hand.

After admiring the basilica, he continued his walk toward the GalloRoman Museum, one of his favorite places in the city. Covering a time frame from prehistory to the early Middle Ages, this marvel of historical treasures was a window into the past. The artifacts on display spoke of ancient civilizations and epic battles, told stories of courage and betrayal, and whispered anecdotes of love and loss.

For Thomas, the museum was more than a collection of ancient objects; it was like a time machine, a sanctuary where he could retreat from the frenzy of the modern world and immerse himself in the epic tales of times long gone. Every artifact, no matter how small or modest, was a link to the past, a tangible reminder of the people and events that had shaped the world into what it is today. It was a place of awe, reflection and deep connection to the past.

Thomas had a particular fondness for strolling the streets of his beloved Tongeren, immersed in a stream of thoughts about the thousands of people who had walked these ancient cobblestones before him. These thoughts made him feel like a link in an ancient chain of human experience; it gave him a tangible sense of connection to the past. Each little street seemed to sing with the echoes of the voices that had once resounded in it.

On this day, however, something big was about to happen. He was about to walk not only through the streets of Tongeren, but to embark on an epic journey that would transcend the history he loved so intensely and take him to the depths of a legend so deeply rooted in the folklore of his city that it seemed as if it had always been part of him.

But he didn't know that then. For now, he was just a boy with a love for his city and its history, a boy looking forward expectantly to a summer that promised to overflow with the simple pleasures of new discoveries and the mysterious charm of old secrets. A summer in Tongeren, filled with the promise of adventure and a good dose of humor. Because in Thomas' world, there was always room for a smile, even in the most serious history lessons. For him, history was not only a collection of facts and dates, but also a treasure chest full of colorful stories, hilarious anecdotes and witty characters.

And so Thomas was at the beginning of what promised to be the best summer of his life, a summer full of promise and surprises, humor and wonder. A summer in