Kneeling next to the man, Wyjec could see a solid metal buckle which fastened the belt. It was fairly simple to remove the belt, and then wrap it around the mangled leg. Cinching the belt as tightly as he could, Wyjec stopped the life-giving fluid from seeping from the wound. Cutting off the circulation would most likely cost the man his leg, but it would save his life.
What to do with him now? Wyjec felt refreshed from his brief nap. Perhaps he could wrap the amber glow around the heart of the man who lay before him like he had the wolf. Searching the soldier’s red myelur, he looked for the accompanying amber glow. It centralized on the injured leg. Wyjec began to pull on the representation of intent, but it would not move. He pushed harder with his mind, feeling his heart beat faster, and still the amber glow remained located around the wound. Drawing in even more of the red myelur, Wyjec began to feel dizzy, as if he might faint. Too much! Too much!
Unsure how he knew, Wyjec understood he was using too much of the red myelur, and it was going to kill him. He shunted the power, limiting it to a simple dribble, and his heart began to slow. He did not like that he was limited in what he could draw from the myelur, or that the amber glow from the man’s leg would not move.
Deciding to take another approach, Wyjec elected to see instead if the amber glow reacted the same way as in the wolf when it came to tying it to a certain location. Shifting his focus on the essence of the amber glow, Wyjec was immediately taken back.
Whereas the glow in the wolf consisted of distinct strands which Wyjec could manipulate and tie together, the man’s aura was significantly more complex. There were individual strands, yes, but instead of them numbered in the dozens, the threads were in the thousands, if not more. And there was something else. The strands which created the amber glow in the man vibrated almost to the point of being violent. There is no way I could tie these together.
Considering the issue further, it correlated with what he had learned previously. From Wyjec’s experience, animals were much easier to control than humans. This realization strengthened the perception of why Avadi betrayed Wyjec. Men’s will was too strong to control absolutely. But wolves, they were different.
That meant men were dangerous. While the man before him was not a threat, it would not remain that way. The other soldier who had fled could return with more men, and Wyjec and one wolf would not be enough. He considered dragging the man with him to make sure he knew it was Wyjec who had beaten him. But where? Wyjec had no place to go.
The forest thickened toward the west, away from Iredell. The soldiers who had come upon Wyjec and the wolf came from the north. Iredell was to the south and east. West it is. He would leave the injured man behind. The soldier had seen how the wolf had defended Wyjec. That would have to be enough for now.
Wyjec stood, and took several steps to the west. The wolf followed without any prompting through the red myelur. It was an unexpected, yet welcomed action. There was still much Wyjec needed to learn about what the wolf would and would not do.
For much of the afternoon, Wyjec and the wolf traveled deeper into the western wood. Food and drink, as well as shelter, were issues that needed addressing soon. Yet, for the moment, Wyjec began to feel a sense of liberation.
That emotion did not last long. A low whistling, not human, came from up ahead and a little to the right. Following came a similar sound, this one from behind and to the left. Growls from each direction joined the chorus.
Wyjec stopped and sought to locate traces of the red myelur. His heart began pounding harder in his chest, not only from pulling on the red myelur, but also when he realized there were six different creatures which surrounded him and his wolf.
All of the whistles changed to hostile growls, and a powerfully built red wolf came out from behind a tree. More wolves followed, surrounding them.
Worst of all was when Wyjec’s wolf joined the other wolves by growling aggressively.
Chapter 24
Straightening her back, Halima took on an air of authority. In a stronger tone, she commanded, “Yarma, Shrevna: put out the fire. Nya, get everyone to my tent. Now!”
“Who? Who is coming?” Rilam asked, a quiver in his voice.
“Who do you think, Rilam?” Danla said. “Be quiet and do as you’re told!”
Pendr stood and turned toward the east. He could sense nothing different in the woods, neither could he hear anything. The women of the camp, to their credit, followed their leader’s instructions without question.
The two young women, Yarma and Shrevna by name, wasted no time in dousing the campfire. Appearing older than the other women, Nya directed the rest of the group toward the tent. Including Pendr and his companions, he counted a total of sixteen people who would need to go into the shelter. It did not look large enough to fit everyone.
Rilam jumped up right away and sprinted to the tent, passing several of the females along the way. Eladrel, showing more restraint, hung back with Pendr.
“I’d feel better if we had weapons,” Eladrel said.
The empty sheath still hanging from his hip made Pendr realize he felt the same way. “I agree,” Pendr said. Once captured, their weapons had been taken from them. In fleeing with Danla, retrieving their short swords was not practical or, most likely, even possible. Pendr had not learned much when it came to swordplay, but holding steel in his hand did offer a sense of comfort, even if it was somewhat of an illusion.
In short order, everyone aside from Eladrel, Pendr, Nya, and Mistress Halima were inside the tent. As Pendr predicted, it would be a tight fit. He could see the thick woolen fabric stretch in places.
“Get in, young men,” Halima said.
Pendr hesitated. He knew his height and muscular frame would take up more area than a normal sized person. “I’m not sure we’ll all fit.”
“Not all of us will need to,” Halima said. Switching her focus to the other woman still standing outside, she said, “Nya, go. May the light guide you.”
Nya nodded, her blonde curls bouncing a little with the motion. She turned and began sprinting to the north through the trees.
“Now, get in,” Halima said with such force that Pendr found he could not resist the direction to enter the shelter.
While those in the tent were already packed in tightly, they somehow found room to allow Pendr, Eladrel, and Halima to enter and close the flaps of the tent.
“Where is Nya going?” Eladrel asked. “Should one of us go with her?”
“You would do more harm than good,” Halima said. “She is well rested. You two are not. You may be feeling energized now, but that will not last. Fear can give the delusion of power, though it is fleeting. Now please, remain quiet. I need to focus.”
Sweat began to bead on Pendr’s forehead. The heat generated inside the tent affected him right away. Working in the forge and standing all day on his feet was not an uncommon occurrence. However, as the moments drew out, he felt a desire to sit—though that would not be possible. Halima made a strong point about Pendr and Eladrel, as well as Rilam for that matter, not resting much the previous night. Danla must be exhausted as well. She had traveled with them all night, and light only knew how long before that.
The snapping of twigs and hushed voices came from outside the tent. Pendr noticed those in the cloth structure tense up—everyone aside from Halima. Her eyes were closed, and a serene expression masked her face.
“In there!” Pendr heard a deep voice say.
“Obviously,” another voice answered, this one with a bit of a lisp.
Feet shuffling sounded around the tent, as well as swords drawn from scabbards.
“Come out from there,” the lispy voice demanded.
No one inside the tent moved.
“We see you,” the man said. “Don’t make this bloodier than it needs to be. Come out now, and only a few of you will die.”
It was as if everyone in the tent was holding their collective breaths. Pendr thought ahead. They were safe, at least according to Mistress Hali
ma. He wanted to believe her, but logically the tent’s fabric would do little to prevent the enemy’s long spears or swords from piercing those inside with him.
Even if Halima could protect them, for how long? They could not last forever inside the tent. The enemy only needed to wait them out. But Halima knows that. She must have sent Nya to get help.
“Looks like they need motivation,” the deep voice said, after a time.
“Yeah. It does. Wanse, use your spear to show them we are serious.”
“No!” Rilam called out. Pendr saw his townmate was up flush against one of the tent’s walls—a position he earned from racing inside the tent first. He’s vulnerable, at least he thinks so.
“Quiet!” Danla hissed.
“Easy for you!” Rilam said. “You’re sheltered in the middle of the tent!”
“Come out of there!” Lispy shouted. “Last warning!”
Rilam pushed and twisted until he was away from the edge of the tent. But he did not stop there. Catching everyone inside the shelter by surprise, he pushed onward, toward the tent flaps and then out into the morning light.
“I surrender!” Rilam called, raising his hands above his head and dropping to his knees.
“Get back in here!” Danla called.
It was too late.
Though Pendr could not spot the enemy soldier through the gap in the tent flaps, he did see when a spear was thrust forward and into the left side of Rilam’s neck.
Chapter 25
Wolves surrounded Wyjec and continued to growl threateningly. Several of them crept forward, teeth bared, closing the distance.
The wolf at Wyjec’s side, the one over whom he thought he had control, was also growling. It was a minor relief, of sorts, when Wyjec realized that his wolf was growling not at Wyjec himself, but rather at the other six wolves.
Using the blue myelur as a protective shield to encase his body, Wyjec then located the amber glow of the largest of the wolves—the one directly ahead of him. The wolf’s focus was on Wyjec’s throat. Thinking back to the soldier who he caused to flee earlier, Wyjec decided to see if he could get the wolf to flee in a similar way. Pushing with the aid of the red myelur, the wolf’s intention was shoved forcefully in the opposite direction. Without hesitation, it fled, crashing through the underbrush as it ran away.
The remaining wolves’ growls lessened some with the action. Picking the next larger wolf, this one with a patch of fur missing from his left rear leg, Wyjec shoved again with the red myelur which had the same effect as with the previous wolf. How long will the wolves flee?
Four wolves remained, each smaller in stature and build than the wolf at Wyjec’s side. Without prompting, Wyjec’s wolf leaped at the closest of the remaining wolves. One of the smaller red-furred beasts appeared genuinely surprised when attacked. It was not surprised for long as Wyjec’s wolf ripped out the smaller creature’s throat.
Before the other three wolves could counter attack, they all dipped their collective heads to the ground and began to whimper. It was the same position the first wolf struck after Wyjec had subdued it. But the wolves aren’t cowering before me. They were showing respect to the wolf. It had dominated them.
No, not it. The wolf is a male.Wyjec knew this earlier, of course. It was not hard to tell by looking at the wolf’s features. But, for whatever the cause, it was not until this moment that Wyjec considered the beast more than an it.
What had changed? Something significant. It seemed that just as men rose in standing with a showing of power, so had the wolf. The lesson here, Wyjec realized, was not dissimilar to the day he first used the blue myelur. Death was the key. He who controls who lives and dies has power.
A rustling of trampled foliage brought Wyjec from his thoughts. In between the gaps of the trees and bushes, a wolf, the largest of the original pack, was returning. As before, Wyjec could see through the red myelur that the wolf fixated on his neck, meaning the wolf intended to attack.
Before it could get to the small clearing where Wyjec stood, his wolf, as well as the three remaining living animals which had backed down, all reacted as one. They gathered together in front of Wyjec and began to growl. Hair bristled, and bodies tensed as they took a defensive position.
The returning wolf, seeing the other wolves’ stances, came to a skidding stop. Its ears stood straight up in the air, and it bared its teeth. It made a sound, a combination of whistles and growls. To Wyjec’s ear, it was a mixture of confusion and outrage. Wyjec’s wolf, the first one he had controlled, responded with a mixture of similar vocal utterances. He, too, stood up straight and tall, with his tail pointed skyward.
Talking? Are they somehow communicating with each other? At first, the idea was absurd. However, there was no denying that something was happening between the two wolves. How deep of a meaning, Wyjec could only guess.
For a moment, the growling/whistling continued, with the younger wolves chipping in now and again in support of their new master. Wyjec could see the amber glow of the returning wolf was no longer on his throat; instead, it was doing something fascinating. Through the red myelur, Wyjec watched the red wolf’s amber glow flit back and forth between its heart and the neck of Wyjec’s wolf. It’s deciding whether or not to fight for dominance.
A sharp bark from Wyjec’s black wolf settled the debate. The red wolf tucked his tail and flattened its ears. It also lowered its head and gave a similar whimper as the other three wolves had done. Moving slowly, the large red fell in beside the other three red wolves. It kept its eyes to the ground and pawed gently at the forest floor.
Wyjec was impressed by the black wolf, and at the same time, a bit envious. But why should I be? It was from sheer willpower that his wolf dominated the red wolf which had returned. In a sense, that is what Wyjec had done, though he used the red myelur. The show of power here with the wolves was more primal in nature—though just as effective.
Still, Wyjec did not want the other wolves dedicated to his pet. No, the beasts needed to understand who truly ruled. He decided he would weave the amber glow around each of the wolves’ hearts, just as he did to the black.
Whether from the vigor created by the recent attacks or from Wyjec’s recent nap, he still felt energized. Food, water, and shelter could wait. For now, the wolves would become his. Remaining standing, Wyjec focused all his attention on the largest red’s heart. As before, he began to tie the strands of the amber glow, making sure each was secure before moving on.
To Wyjec’s surprise, he found himself stumbling forward a couple of steps. Splitting his attention away from the red wolf for a moment, Wyjec understood what happened.
The other wolf had returned.
While Wyjec focused on the work of securing the amber glow, he had been hit from behind. The blue myelur protected him from any harm, though the force was strong enough to move him physically—not unlike when Avadi’s men had thrown him from the tower wall.
Before Wyjec could react, the rest of the wolves attacked. Fur and blood flying, along with jaws snapping open and shut, and the howls of pain from the wolf which attacked impacted Wyjec’s senses.
Almost as quickly as it started, the battle concluded. The wolf which had done the most damage, as evidenced from the gore on his teeth and claws, was the black wolf. Standing proudly, the wolf’s eyes met Wyjec’s stare: an unspoken message sent. The wolf will defend me, even to the point of endangering himself or his pack.
The wolf displayed something Wyjec had not seen before. Pure devotion, and not only from fear. An idea struck Wyjec. If this wolf would show such honor and respect, then certainly the other ones will as well once I weave the amber glow around their hearts. It would take time, but it would be worth the effort.
This wolf, the first one, needed a distinction. I shall name him. Wyjec considered what name would be right for the wolf. And then, it came to him. The perfect name.
I will call him Alpha.
Chapter 26
A cry of surprise mixed with angu
ish came from one of the women inside the tent upon seeing Rilam impaled in the neck. Pendr had witnessed the youth from his hometown murdered, and based on the woman’s reaction, he was not alone.
“Close the tent flaps,” a female voice said firmly. Pendr was not sure who said it, but he obeyed without questioning.
Mistress Halima continued to remain quiet, eyes closed. She remains focused on keeping the enemy out.
“We can help Rilam,” Eladrel said. “I can heal him.”
“Not if you’re dead,” Pendr said. “I didn’t see how many of them were out there, but we can’t win.”
“I need to do something to help,” Eladrel said. His eyes displayed an almost pleading nature.
“That’s because you are a healer, or will be,” one of the women said. Pendr recognized her as Yarma, one of those tasked with dousing the fire before they came to the tent. She was smaller in stature than most of the others, though the way she held her shoulders squarely made her seem taller. Her hair was also cut shorter than the rest of the women, not even touching her shoulders. “It’s in your nature to—”
“You see!” the man with the lisp shouted outside of the tent. “You see what you made us do? The longer you wait, the more of you will die. Come out now!”
Yarma shook her head fiercely, whereas Eladrel fidgeted, glancing back and forth between the occupants of the tent and the flaps which led outside.
“We’re not waiting! Wanse, do it now,” Lispy said.
Movement toward the southeast corner of the tent caused everyone, aside from Mistress Halima, who remained in a trance-like state, to face that direction. Pendr heard the shuffling of feet, something he took as one of the men outside as lunging forward. The next sound he expected was the ripping of fabric, followed by a scream of pain. What happened instead was unlike anything he had experienced before.
Darker the Shadow (The Howler King Trilogy Book 1) Page 10