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Stone and Wolf (Part 3)

The fires of Racalli flickered though the remaining trees between Lyke and his destination. Crag broke the tree line and charged to the border of the village. Lyke was relieved to see a Warg's corpse as they crossed though a break in the fencing. Several guards ran up to meet him, including the large brown furred one.

"What news, Slayer!" Lyke dismounted and drew his sword.

"I killed the leader, but the rest of the pack has followed me back. We should have the upper paw! Without their leader, they will soon give up if we press the attack!" A gasp went around the group, but soon they heard the howling of the approaching pack. At this, they steeled themselves and called for more warriors to assemble facing the edge of the wood. It was very fortunate that a few Warg's had already attacked last night. Now, the light of the morning sun glittering on the weapons of the guards, Lyke and Crag stood at the front of the small group.

The first of the Warg's broke out of the trees, obscured by the cool mist. A snarl rose in Lykes' throat, his ears back. He shifted his sword into both paws and charged forward, letting the snarl turn into a scream. There were now three Warg's in the open, with another large one in front. Its body was muscular and powerful. "Go wide, Crag! I've got this one!" Crag broke off to deal with another on the right. Lyke saw that the distance between him and his opponent would close at the fence line. He ran faster, bending his body down, his foot-paws pounding on the dirt. By increasing speed, he hoped to gain a second or two at the fence before the Warg could get there. The fence approached, and Lyke jumped up to a post. Turning in the air, he sliced back down with a strong stroke as the beast jumped up to bite him. Thusly, Lykes' sword went in between its jaws and sank past its lips into the throat. Lyke landed, dragging the sword to the other side of him to finish the cut. The beast flew over the fence and collapsed to the ground in a heap of thrashing fur. He looked back momentarily to watch two of the guards finish it with their spears. Returning his gaze to the enemy, he saw Crag easily take down a smaller Warg with his dagger-like claws. A few more Warg's had appeared from the trees, but these seemed to lack the rage that the first wave had. Lyke stood and let one Warg run past his left. The guardsmen had to do some of the work too. He took his last javelin in his right paw and spotted a beast nearby that seemed to have more courage than the others. Another Warg circled to his right. "I see you!" Lyke yelled and hauled the javelin into the one trying to flank him. It struck the shoulder and the beast fell forward with a yelp. The charging Warg maintained speed and went low instead of jumping up. "Now you!" Side stepping, Lyke swung down and hit the beast in the teeth hard. Then, crouching down, he made a jab into its flank. It shrank away in pain and fled as fast as it dared with the wound in its side. The guards had killed the three Wargs that had gotten through Lyke and Crag. He saw the fear in the eyes of the surviving beasts. They backed away toward the trees. Lyke stepped up and swung his sword over his head with a cry. The guards behind him threw their heads back and howled in triumph. The Wargs turned and fled, their tails disappearing into the morning mist between the trees. Lyke flicked the blood off his sword and returned it to its clip.

"Amazing work, Lyke!" The brown furred guard ran up to him, a paw outstretched to shake his. Lyke took it and smiled.

"I'm just sorry the poor things followed me back. Is everyone alright?" The guard looked back.

"We've got one bite. Nothing serious." Lyke released his paw and brushed some blood off the guard's snout; holding it up for him to see.

"Don't tell me this is yours?" After a moment of shock the guard laughed.

"Ha! No no. Just the spray of the severed artery of a Warg. Got me in the eye actually." He said wiping some more off his brow. Lyke chuckled.

"Let's get back and tell everyone all about it. What do you bet my story tops yours?"

"Yes, the elders are eagerly awaiting your news." They gathered themselves and made for the elders hut. Crag was busy feeding on the corpses.

"Crag! Clean yourself up and get back to the stable! I'll be back shortly!"

Lyke and the warriors entered the hut. To Lykes' surprise, the elders looked like they hadn't moved an inch since he left them last night. The one in the middle, again, spoke for the other two.

"Lyke. You have returned. Tell us of your battle with the stone Warg." Lyke reached back and removed the stone spike that broke from the Wargs' mask. This he put at their feet.

"I killed the beast. As proof, I have brought you a spike from its mask, and..." He untied the runic amulet and set it down next to the stone. "The amulet he wore... I hope this is proof enough. If you must see the beast for yourselves, your scouts will surely tell you of its demise if you care to send them to the lair." The elder held up his paw.

"This is proof enough. You have done splendidly, Lyke. You may keep your trophies. If what you say is true, we can collect others later. What would you ask of us in return for your service? I know in the south, work does not come cheap." Lyke knelt down and sat on his heels.

"I ask only for basic supplies for my journey, perhaps some replacement javelins if you have them handy... and information about my mate and what lies beyond the northern mountain pass." The elders' ears perked. "Yes. I know this village was built for a reason. You guard some ancient secret don't you? Everyone here?" The elder looked at his fellows once more.

"You are perceptive, young warrior. Normally we would never condone travel beyond the northern pass, but under your circumstances, we see fit to allow it. Your mate was brash and foolish. She rode off without warning before we could stop her. I imagine she did the same to you?" Lyke nodded. "Very well. We will comply with your requests. Fetch him four days rations and three of our good metal war spears!" The guards behind Lyke hastened to obey, filling out of the hut. "And we may talk for a while as they prepare for your journey. You have earned our trust, Lyke. That is a treasure." Lyke bowed his head.

"To be sure. I thank you."

"Now, what are your questions? I may guess at many of them, but would prefer you tell me." Lyke thought of what to ask first. It's best to start small and move to the larger ones later. You never know what could be important.

"You are generous. First, I would ask about the Wargs. When did you first notice the change in their behavior?" The elder looked up in thought.

"Curious that you should ask that first. We heard a great, deep howl from the mountain. That was a mere three days ago as of this morning. Your timing was excellent." Lykes' ears raised in surprise.

"I had no idea... That means the beast came after Ilisha left..." The elder nodded knowingly.

"Five days ago now, she left. Three days ago, the beast came. One day ago, you arrived. There is indeed something as work here. I fear the cause is your mate, Moon protect her."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Is that your question?" Lyke thought for a moment, and then shook his head.

"No..." He picked up the runic amulet. "Do you know what these markings mean?" The elder pointed a claw to it. A guard behind him moved forward, took it from Lyke and handed it to the elder. He turned the greenish stone in his paw, a frown on his face.

"I cannot read them. I can, however, tell you some about them. This would seem to be an ancient artifact, but on closer inspection, it is not. These runes where carved recently. The stone itself is old, but these markings have not been worn by time at all..." He continued to stare at it. Lyke didn't want to disturb him, even though he wanted to ask something else. "The runes spell some ancient magic. I know not what. I would not tamper with it, or put the amulet on if I was you." He handed it back to the guard, who gave it to Lyke.

"I see... Thank you... so you say Ilisha left without your consent. Did she say anything? Did she have any scrolls with her?"

"She did have rolls of parchment. We never got to look at them. She was adamant on keeping them from us, and leaving quickly. She said she sought ancient treasures northward. We knew of what she spoke and attempted to persuade her otherwise. She would have none of it. Before we decided to apprehend her forcibly, she rode away. I must confess my village does not think highly of her. She stole supplies from us for her journey." Lyke gasped.

"I'm so sorry. Please forgive my mates' actions. She is not herself. I will personally see to it she is brought back here to apologize and if possible, refund your loss." The elder nodded slowly.

"That would be kind of you."

"So where is it your think she was heading? You said you knew what ancient treasures she sought." The elder looked at the other two once again.

"I suppose you will find out eventually. Two days travel to the north, though the pass, there is a great castle built by the ancients... Even if there are no surviving ancients left in this world, their magic might lives on in their inventions and enchanted items. Your mate may think she is prepared with whatever research she has conducted, but I can tell you that she is gravely mistaken. She most likely wants to recover artifacts of power for study and use. Perhaps she even aspires to gain powers of her own." Lyke tiled his head.

"Is this so bad? I know tampering with magic is dangerous, but I've seen her work... She seems to know what she's doing..." The elder almost laughed.

"Boy... You know not of what you speak. Neither, I fear, does your mate. The probability of her survival is small. You must find her and get as far away from that cursed place as possible. If she becomes infected with the ancients' power, it will..." His gaze shifted to meet his directly with wide eyes. "WILL, corrupt her. It would be a favor to kill her where she lay if that becomes the case. Do you understand, Lyke? Promise me you will kill her if you see there is no hope." Lyke met the old man's gaze hard.

"I..." He shook his head to clear it. "No. I will do as I deem necessary. I cannot bring myself to think of such things. I will find her and bring her back here. And come to think of it, I've wasted enough time." Lyke stood suddenly and gave a brief bow. "Farewell. I hope to return as soon as possible to tell you all about the castle. I'm sure she will be able to tell you herself." The elder raised a paw.

"Hold! Lyke, wait!" Lyke was gone. He set of across the grassy turf of the village to the stable. He soon grew tired of walking and broke into a run. There was no more time.

"Crag!" He called as he passed under the wooden rafters of the stable. The big cat's growl sounded from his stall and Lyke flung the door open. "Let's go! We can rest in the wilds, but there's no time right now, understand?" Crag stood and shook himself off. "That a good boy." Lyke mounted him and they rode out of the stable, causing the nearby horses to cry in fear. He needed to cross almost the full stretch of the village to get to the wilderness bordering the pass. He slowed as he neared the elders hut. The head elder stood outside, supported by each arm by a guard. Several others, including the brown furred guardsman, stood next to them, holding his parting gifts. Crag came to a stop. "I mean no disrespect." Lyke said, stretching a paw to the three spears in their hands. "But, I'll take my payment now. You've been kind to me, but I have to take this in my own paws now." The guard handed him the three metal war-spears. Two of which he strapped to his back, the last was attached to Crag's flank. The four days rations where tethered in to him in pouches next to his violin.

"I do not blame you, Lyke. You must do what needs to be done. My only wish is that you do not disturb whatever ancient menace lies in that castle, and you do not bring any evil out with you. Be that is the form of artifacts of power, or... living specimens of evil." Lyke nodded to the elder.

"I will do my utmost... but if Ilisha is "Infected" As you put it, I will not let her to die. That I can never promise you. Forgive me." The elder bowed his head.

"Then go, young one. We may see things differently, but we both wish the best for those we love. I cannot stop you."

"I thank you. I'll see you again soon." He spurred Crag away. He did not bother to look back as the huts and confused faces whirled past. His gaze was set firmly on the edge of the wood where the northern pass waited for him to cross over into the untouched land of the ancients.