Kapitel 32: Meeting the Wolves

After walking for a few minutes following Rontu, I entered a large clearing next to a crystalline lake. Scattered around the clearing were large vibrantly coloured mounds. Confused, I turned to Rontu to ask what they were, before seeing one of the largest mounds, which was white in colour, lift itself off the ground. As it turned towards us, I realized what the mounds were. Every single one of them was a massive elemental wolf. I thought I had gotten numb to shocks after talking with Rontu, but this is on a whole other level. Normal elemental wolves form packs with only those of the same elemental affinity and are not that much large than an healthy average wolf, about 2.5m in length, but the wolves here were larger, around 3.5m. Also, most packs had between 4 and 8 members, but this group had at least 20 members. This shows they must control a massive amount of territory, and their alpha must be extraordanarily strong and intelligent to maintain order in such a pack. As the white wolf approached us, it bowed its head before staring at me and asking [What are you?]. Her 'voice' was a slightly higher tone in my mind, so I think she is a female. I don't understand why gender would affect telepathy, but it does. Does that mean that Rontu is a male? Their human form looked androgynous to me, and they don't act very 'manly'. I don't even know if dragons have genders, but I do know it would be rude to ask, so I'll just try to figure it out another way. [She is called Lyndis and her species is very rare. She's a werewolf, and supposedly has the bloodline of a primordial beast] while I was lost in my own thoughts, they had started talking about me, Rontu snaking his head to look at me from above without moving his body. Wait, did he just call me odd? [Really? Maybe a descendant of the Great One...]

Ignoring Rontu's insult, I asked "Who is this 'Great One'?" I could hear the wolf's reverance when she said that name.

[Everything I know is only from stories past through the generations, but one of the strongest wolves in all of history was known as Luna.] They sound cute! I wonder if they were a silver colour like Rontu. [Her title was beast of the moon. It was said she was 5m long, 3m high at the shoulder, with a fierce disposition that led her to regularly flattening mountains with a single swipe of her claws.] the wolf in front of me had an expression of awe on her face. I don't know how I deciphered such a complex expression from a wolf, but I did. Also, I take back my previous statement, they do not sound cute."Rontu, do you have any more information?"

[No I haven't; I don't interact much with other creatures, and I am not nearly old enough to meet a primordial beast.] As they were a dragon I was hoping for some answers, but it seems they really are useless.

"How old are you then?"

[I don't know how you humans measure time, but I was born long enough ago to see two wars between humans and demons.] That means he is about 400 years old. I don't really know what I was expecting, but this really shows how amazing dragons are. The human life expectancy is around 55 years old, and most fighters retire by 30. Magicians usually live slightly longer, but only by a few years. Magicians also retire later in life than fighters as a strong body isnt necessary to cast magic.

[Now then, I doubt you came here just to show this person off.] the white wolf said, looking back towards Rontu.

[Indeed, I owe this one a favour, and out of the things I could give, she me to introduce you.] Their tone changed again. I wonder why they are putting on such a formal facade? Hearing this, the wolf turned back towards me. I realized I still don't know her name.

"Hello, Lady Wolf. I came here to ask your pack to help me with something."

[Oh, I haven't introduced myself. You may call me Silverpelt.] I sniggered slightly after hearing her name but, luckily, a certain dragon covered for me.

[Well, I have repaid my favour, so I shall be off.] Rontu promptly flew off towards his cave. 'I owe Lyndis a lot more than this, but my guilt will not stop me sleeping. My bed, here I come!' he thought secretly.

[*Sigh*... he is so uptight. But that's still better than most other dragons I've met.] Silverpelt said, watching the fading figure of Rontu.

'So Rontu is a male.' I thought before saying "As Rontu said, my name is Lyndis. It's nice to meet you."

[Likewise. So, why did you want to meet me?] Silverpelt said before lying down on the grass.

"I want revenge." I said firmly before continuing, "I lived happily at the village on the edge of this forest for all my life, until I was betrayed. Because the people in town found out that I wasn't human, my parents were killed; they gave their lives to let me escape." I took a deep breath to steady my voice. "So I want to destroy that village, but I know I'm not strong enough on my own, so I want your help."

[Do you know what the defenses are like?]

"Not exactly, but I know that they don't expect a fight, most of the sentries hardly pay attention to their surroundings, and the knights never seem very organized."

[How many knights are there?]

"I think there are about 64 knights, four platoons of 16 members. Apparently, each platoon is strong enough to easily subjugate a group of 5 regular elemental wolves."

[...Why do you say 'regular'?] She said after a short pause.

"Because you look much stronger than elemental wolves are described as being." I said.

Silverpelt showed a toothy grin before replying [You have good eyes, girl.] Just as she started talking again, a royal blue wolf with black eyes burst into the clearing, with a large cut along its right flank. Hearing the wolf enter the clearing, Silverpelt quickly stood up and rushed towards the injured wolf, the other wolves in the clearing lifting their heads to watch what will happen. The two wolves communicated in tail flicks and facial expressions, so I had no idea what they were talking about. After they finished their chat, Silverpelt approached the side of the blue wolf and used healing magic to close the wound. "She has healing magic?" I mumbled in shock. Very few have healing magic, and they always connected to the church. Silverpelt didn't even turn back to me before rushing off into the forest in the same direction the blue wolf came from. A few minutes later, Silverpelt emerged back into the clearing with three other wolves. The wind changed direction, and a new smell permeated the clearing - the smell of blood. All the wolves suddenly stood up, looking at Silverpelt. The colours of the wolves following her where two white and one red. Both of the white wolves had bloody patches on them. She seemed to say something to the large group looking at her, before walking towards me. As she approached, I could see her displeased expression. All the wolves in the clearing were flocking to the wolves that just entered the area, their tails clearly showing their excitement.

[You have a deal.]