The Scarlet Scepter

Chapter Six (Revised)

His eyes bore into me, but I knew that he wasn't looking at me. He was evidently terrified, and the hands that held the dagger trembled. I spun around, and something stepped out into the sun. It was a wolf, but it was as big as a ten-wheeler truck. It had brownish red fur, and it stared at me with its glowing red eyes, as if deciding to squash me or not.

The wolf studied the figure crouching inside. I shouted for him to run, but the creature had already pounced for the barrel. I was closer, so I tried to grab him and run, but my hands passed through his body. He held out the dagger in front of him as the creature smashed the container he was in.

The scene shifted. I was still in some forest, but there was no sign of the wolf or the barrel. I saw him, sitting on a rock, honing his dagger with a stone. There were smears of blood on his face and all over his tattered clothes. A figure of an eagle with a wing folded hung on his neck. His eyes roamed around warily but suspiciously, watching for someone who might appear and attack.

We were both startled by approaching voices and hooves. He hid behind a tree, but I stayed and listened.

They appeared out of the trees. Sitting on a white horse, leading them, was a younger King Arioch. His brown eyes glinted in the sunlight, but he wasn't wearing any armor or some sort of protection, and with him are five soldiers, who glanced around the area. He pointed here and there, commanding his men to search thoroughly for any signs of a giant wolf. He stopped speaking suddenly though and motioned for them to spread out. A soldier went to check behind the tree the boy was hiding in.

"Let me go! I command you to release me!" The soldier dragged the boy toward the king despite his protests.

Arioch regarded him and dismounted. "Have you seen a giant wolf, my dear boy? We have been looking for it for about three days now," he gently asked with a smile.

It took him a few seconds to answer. "Was it yours?"

"No, we were chasing it. Do you know where it is?"

He looked down at his clothes, and the king nodded.

"I see. That was brave of you." A hint of the blade, which I saw he slipped on his tunic, caught the king's eye. "What is that?"

The boy eyed him suspiciously. He crouched instinctively, waiting for someone to attack him.

Arioch's hands went up. "It is all right. We will not hurt you. I just want to see it."

The boy looked away and reluctantly gave the blade. The inscriptions on the blade glowed, and the soldiers looked at each other, whispering.

Arioch studied the dagger. "Who gave this to you?"

"My brother" was the response.

"What is your name, little one?"

"Cyrus. Cyrus Castor."

Arioch's eyes became unsettled as he handed back the blade. "Well then, Cyrus, would you care for a ride?"

The boy backed off, holding his blade in front of him. The king ripped the sleeve from his arm, making the soldiers gasp. There seemed to be something in his arm but I couldn't make it out clearly. It looked like a lion.

The lad stared at the king's arm for a while. He nodded, and they left as swiftly as they came.

I turned to leave, but something blocked me.

"Cyrus?"

His expression was blank, staring where they had left.

I was so relieved I thought I was going to cry. "Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you!"