Shadow of the Wolf

Chapter Nine

Morning had turned into late afternoon and still they were no closer to knowing where they needed to go. Tired and hungry, Saleene looked around for a place to rest and recoup some of her lost energy. A howl in the distance alerted her to a clearing up ahead, a shaded area that they could use to rest for a short time. She turned quickly toward Dartian and caught him staring at her intently.

“There is a place we can rest up head. It is about 400 feet from where we currently are.” She informed.

Dartian’s voice came from the right. “Good.”

Not giving him time to argue, Saleene broke off into a fast jog, hoping to put some breathing room between them. Over a small hill and through a few bushes she found tree after tree pass her by. So deep into her thoughts she barely noticed the uprooted vine, her foot catching on the edge of it. Her forward momentum caused Saleene to lose her balance only to land on her stomach, the dust from the ground puffing all around her. Swearing in a few different languages, she looked around the area to see if there were any other hidden roots.

She rubbed her ankle, a bruise was already beginning to form, when a vine from beneath the ground broke through, encircling her other ankle. The strength of its gripped surprised her. This was no ordinary foliage, she thought, it was charmed. She knew she was in trouble. Holding on with what strength she had she glanced around for anything she could grab. Most of the veins broke the moment she held onto them. She needed help.

“Dartian! Help me!” She prayed he would hear her in time.

The vines continued to wrap themselves around her calf, working their way up to her waist. Fear pooled in her veins at the thought of being pulled underground. Terrified, she continued to try and get her body out of its grip. She did not want to get swallowed up by the ground.  Desperate to get free she reached into her satchel and tried to locate her dagger. Just as her hand reached the hilt, another vine twisted itself around her mid-section, closing off any chance of using the weapon. She knew she had no way to get out without aide and prayed Dartian would make it to her in time.

Twisting and turning in an attempt to free herself, Saleene didn’t see Dartian approach. Her body was already beneath the surface, all that remained was her bound face. Losing consciousness, Saleene began to see shades of gray and silver. In her mind she could hear an insidious laughter that promised eternal pain. Terror coursed through her at the thought of what evil had created such an instrument of harm. That the evil could control nature, and pervert it into a weapon, scared her to her core.

“I’m here. Don’t let it take you. Focus on my voice.” His voice pushed through her dark haze of despair.

Suddenly Saleene felt strong hands grasp her shoulders. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she looked up to see Dartian at her side. Somehow, he had heard her and had known she was in trouble. With a strength she did not know he contained, Dartian was able to pull her out of the ground that threatened to engulf her. With one swoosh of his blade; Dartian began to free Saleene from her confines.

“Never again Saleene, never again will I allow you to run off.” Amazed at the emotions that she felt in his words, Saleene decided she wouldn’t counter what he’d said. Once he was sure that all the mutated briars had been destroyed, he returned his attention back to her.

“Thank you. I was afraid you wouldn’t hear me.” Out of breath and sore from the thorns that had pierced her flesh, Saleene looked around still half-dazed from her ordeal. Feeling for her satchel, she looked up to find him staring down at her, concern in his eyes.

“You don’t understand, I nearly lost you. Why must you try to stay so far ahead of me? You have nothing to prove.” His words and the honesty in them spoke more than he could ever know. God, how she felt foolish fleeing from him.