Chapter 12: Deep Forest

Little One had a following when we left and seemed satisfied with herself. Charles also seemed satisfied and Ellie kept looking at him as he groomed himself. She finally put her arm through mine as we walked beside our lead horses, “I think the two of them were up to a little deviltry.”

I grinned as I looked at the seat where they sat side by side, “Well, they do not seem upset with each other.”

It was late afternoon when the large stag broke through the brush and froze as it stared at us. I had been carrying my bow in case I saw a rabbit and brought it up. I released just before the stag turned to flee and the large deer dropped suddenly. The two traders were upset about stopping and Ellie just waved them on, “We do not need to share what we kill.”

They became quiet and continued on without even looking back. Ellie shook her head as I started cleaning the deer, “They're stuck up, conceited idiots.”

I grinned but did not stop what I was doing. After I had clean and dressed the deer Ellie helped hang it in the back of the wagon. We started off again and I was not surprised to find the merchants waiting a little way down the trail. The thick forest reminded me of stories of wolves and fleeting glimpses from the corner of my eye did not help.

Little One chirped suddenly and I glanced at her before following her stare. The huge black wolf that sat in the forest gave me pause and Ellie touched my arm, “They are all around us.”

We fell in behind the other two wagons and I tried to keep watch. The wolves seemed to follow us but kept their distance. There was a wide clearing we came to in the late afternoon and the traders swung their wagons around. After I placed our wagon in the gap all the horses were brought into the center.

The traders whispered and looked worried as we made camp. I started a fire between the back of two wagons after walking out in the forest for wood. The wolves had kept their distance but continued to watch us. I made the cats stay in the wagon and just before it got dark the wolves moved to the very edge of the forest.

Ellie was cooking a pot of venison stew and I finally stood and walked away from the wagons, “Come forward and tell me what you need.”

I do not know why but it had just felt like that was what they had been waiting for. Several large wolves stood and padded out to sit before me. I waited and one turned its head to look back into the forest. It almost felt like he wanted me to go that way. I shook my head, “Not in the dark.”

It whined and went to his belly before crawling towards me. I sighed as it touched my leg and looked towards the dark forest, “Why?”

It looked at me and then into the forest before growling. That I understood and smiled, “You want me to kill something.”

The wolf barked and I sighed, “How far?”

It tilted its head and I sighed before looking back at Ellie, “Do you know anything that could help?”

She shook her head, “If they have singled you out it is for a reason, something powerful that they can not fight.”

I nodded and looked at the wolf before holding one finger up, “One day?”

It nodded its head and I almost laughed. I looked at the wagon, “Can the wagon go there?”

It looked at the wagon for a moment and then seemed to nod and bark at the same time. I sighed and looked at Ellie, “Well?”

She smiled, “I guess we follow them.”

I nodded and turned to look into the dark night, “We wait until dawn and then we go.”

Ellie nodded, “Safer for the horses.”

I looked at the wolf, “We will follow you at first light.”

It turned and walked into the dark forest. I went back with Ellie and tried to relax. I knew the wolves were watching and I doubted they would attack. I set my mental alarm and leaned back against the wheel of the wagon. My eyes snapped open and I caressed Ellie to wake her before slipping out from under the light blanket.

I checked the horses as it gradually began to get lighter. I moved them out and harnessed them while Ellie spoke to the traders. When I stared leading the horses towards the forest a wolf appeared to guide us. They picked the best way and we never had to worry about becoming stuck. It was several hours before the other wolves closed in which made the horses nervous.

The wolves moved around until they were down wind but something else made the horses snort and jerk against their harness. The first ghoul that appeared made my stomach turn. Its flesh was rotting off and the stench was almost overpowering. I did not hesitate to shoot it through the head but Ellie quickly moved forward to whisper one of her spells.