Dante

As I lay on my back in the sun, and remembered my first lessons, the day seemed long. I was carefully balancing objects in the air, and reading from my lesson book, when I heard a rustling in the bushes near by. I carefully shifted my concentration just enough to look over toward the thicket. Just then a wolf lept from the shrubs, and on to the rock I was on. Fearing for my life, I attempted to summon assistance from the Seventh Circle, but was to slow. One of my hands was pinned my an enormous paw, and my balance act came crashing down.

The wolf slobbered and growled. I slowly used my other hand to retrieve a stack of ribs from by nearby pack. The wolf eyed me with curiosity, taking in my every move. Just then a voice shouted from nearby... "Atticus! Atticus get off of him, what is wrong with you today?"

The wolf peered down at me in disgust, and sauntered over to the man walking toward me. I quickly gathered myself up, and hopped to my feet. The man approached me, and pat his wolf on the head. He wore all green, with a green sash across his chest. He carried a large bow with him, which he handled like a toy. He then leaned down and whispered in the wolf's ear. The wolf appeared to reply to him with a small bark, and scurried into the forest.

"I am sorry for his actions, mage. I am sure he meant no harm to you. He is quite protective about the forest and those who travel with her." The man's explanation was no consolation to me. "Well you should tie him up then, if he cannot be controlled. He almost killed me" I exaggerated the facts a bit, and gauged his reaction.

"I am Michael, son of Susan the Whisperer, and guardian of these parts. I meant you nor harm, nor did Atticus. Here sit and we will talk" he motioned me to sit on the rock, I hesitated and looked around for the vile pet to return. Laughing, Michael motioned me to sit.

Soon the sun was going down, and the hours of laughter and stories slowed. I explained to him that I must be off, and he smiled. He told me that he would send word to the other creatures that I was not to be harmed. He then handed me a golden statue. It was of a woman. He told me that I should carry it, for it was the face of Mother Earth, and it would protect me, for all time.

As I rode off, I felt that I would see this man again. I felt as if I had found a new friend.