| Sect four: allies By Richard LeBlanc In the darkness - a terrified Julia attempted to back away from the huge monster that was before her. Unfortunately - due to the darkness and the fact that her attention was elsewhere - she tripped and fell. Just then the clouds parted the beast stepped out from the shadows and slowly stalked towards her. "A wolf - big wolf - oh my," she muttered as she began to back away. The wolf then stopped growling and appeared to study her. She looked around to see if some equally frightening horror had come to challenge him for the right to eat her. Just then the wolf leaned forward and lightly sniffed her - upon doing so - it laid down beside her - still watching her. Slowly she got up. The wolf didn't move. She looked around to see a possible means of escape - but the reality of her trying to outrun a wolf - especially one that size hit her. She almost began to cry - but a mix of fear and confusion stopped her. "Are you going to kill me?" she hesitantly asked. The wolf didn't move but continued to look at her - but not as a predator would prey. "What am I thinking - wolves don't talk," she muttered as she looked at the beast that seemed to be amused at her ramblings. "Then again wolves aren't supposed to be house sized," she added. She slowly walked over and sat down beside the wolf. The wolf moved his head over so that he was looking at her. Strangely enough - the massive beast almost looked to be as friendly as a puppy. She slowly reached over and hesitantly touched the wolf - almost instantly jerking her hand away - fearing the beast would lash out at her. "Why - why do you seem - familiar?" she hesitantly asked. She received no answer but reached for the wolf again. This time she slowly patted the wolf - not taking her eyes off the wolf's large eyes. Just then - an image flashed across her mind. But as quickly as it appeared it was gone. She backed away. The wolf slowly looked up at the moon and let out a slow howl. Almost all activity in the forest stopped. Once again the wolf looked at her. She wasn't sure how or why - but it was as if she knew what the wolf wanted. She walked over and sat down beside the wolf. The wolf then rested his head on her lap. "What?" she began. Another flash - only longer. Everything was a blur of motion. The scent of smoke and fire was thick in the air. The sounds of an epic war being fought in the distance could be heard but still she was going forward. It was then - atop a hill that they stopped. She looked back and saw the forest she had seen in her dream. "The dragon - what about the?" She began. She looked around - but there was no dragon. She looked down and saw the wolf's head resting on her lap. Another flash. She was back atop the hill. The large wolf - with the tiny crying baby saddled on its back reluctantly turned away from the sounds of battle and raced away. Everything blurred they moved so fast. Within what felt like mere seconds - the wolf was at the door of the elder. "But how?" she began - again she was in the present looking down at the resting wolf. It was then that she knew why the wolf seemed familiar. "You - you were the one that carried me away," she said. The wolf closed his eyes and seemed to drift off to sleep. "Great - now how am I supposed to move with you on top of me?" she remarked. Morning came. Slowly she awoke and found everything as it was the night before - save for the fact that there was no giant wolf. She looked around for any sign of the beast - but there was none. "Maybe I just dreamed it," she commented. It was then that the wolf walked over. In its mouth was a large bush of some kind in its mouth. He walked over and dropped it at her feet and then lied down. "Or not," she added. She looked at the bush and realized what it was. "Berries - you got these for me?" she asked. The wolf seemed to nod. As she ate she didn't take her eyes off the wolf that was looking back. She then stopped and looked around the forest surrounding them. "You - you know who I am?" she asked. The wolf nodded. "You know what I have to do?" she asked. Again the wolf nodded. "Will you help me?" she asked. Again the wolf nodded. "I must go see the witch. I was told that she lives in a ruin upriver - do you know where it is?" she asked. The wolf got up - walked over to where she was and then lowered himself to the ground. "You want me to get on?" she asked. She got no answer. Although she questioned the sanity of climbing on such a beast she found herself doing just that. Much to her surprise - the wolf effortlessly rose to his feet. The wolf started to move. Instantly she lunged forward to hang on. Once the wolf knew she had a firm grip he took off! Mere minutes later - the two had made it there. The wolf lowered to the ground to allow his shaken rider to dismount. Julia looked over at the calm looking wolf. "Did - you have to move that fast?" she asked between gasps. The wolf laid down and almost looked as innocent as a puppy. "Like I'm believing that," she remarked. She then looked away from the wolf and looked at the ruins of the ancient temple around them. "What are you doing here?" a young voice peeped. Julia almost jumped out of her skin. She looked down and saw a child that appeared to be between ten to fourteen years old. Julia took a few moments to slow down the beating of her heart. "What are you doing here? Don't you know how dangerous it is out here?" she replied. "I can take care of myself," the little girl retorted as she skipped over to where a toppled pillar was and sat down. "But - there is a witch that lives here," Julia pointed out. "Witches don't scare me," she replied. "They don't? They scare me," Julia commented. "That's just silly," the little girl giggled. "Perhaps. Do you know where the witch lives in this place?" Julia asked. The girl nodded and pointed to a run down old temple. Julia nodded and made her way over to the temple - completely unaware that the little girl was following her. From the doorway - Julia looked in. It looked dusty and untouched. As she made her way in - she moved the numerous cobwebs out of her way. It was then that she noticed a set of footprints that led to the wall. "Mmm a secret passageway?" she said to herself. She looked at the wall and saw one brick that was not coated with dust. She took a deep breath and pushed the brick in. As the brick moved in - the secret door slowly opened. She looked into the darkness before her and pondered how she was going to see. Just then - the wall torches lit up. "I guess I'm expected," she muttered - slowly making her way down the stairs. At the bottom of the winding staircase was a large dome-like room. Along the numerous walls were tall shelves that were at least twice as tall as she was. On them were books and vials of numerous things that she desired no knowing of. She slowly made her way to the center of the room and looked around. Although there was a lot of dirt and dust in the place - it was clear that someone had been living there recently - yet there was no one present. "No one's here," she commented. "I wouldn't say that," an old voice cackled. Julia turned around - no one was there. "I - have come seeking the witch that lives here," she called out. Just then - an old - withered - claw like hand touched her shoulder - a cold chill paralyzed her. "Then you are in luck my pretty - you found her," an old voice hissed. To be continued... |