Shadow of the Wolf

Chapter Twenty

Both watched her walk away and then once more returned their gaze to the other, a smile crossing their faces at the same time.

“She is a handful, is she not?” Zachius inquired, humor crossing his face.

“Aye...that she is. Why did you get in her way?” He asked.

“She’s too deep in thought. She needed to be jolted back to reality.” Dartian understood his friend’s reasons but was still not happy of anyone else’s touch on her.

Turning, his friend started out toward the forest. “I will be out hunting this afternoon, if you should need me, just call.” Zachius called out. They both knew that space was for the best until Dartian could work out his connection to Saleene.  Turning his head back in the direction of Saleene, he could only pray that they both figured out their path was the same before something bad should happen.

“Are you two coming or what?” Saleene called over her shoulder, her golden hair like fine woven thread draping down her back. He watched as she reached for the door only to be stopped by Nadrin before she could knock.

“Allow me to knock my dear. They do not take well to strangers.” Nadrin’s voice held a subtle warning.

Slowly the door opened and an older robust woman stood in the doorframe. Her eyes appeared to be shadowed from pure exhaustion. She glanced at each of them, nodding as her eyes reached Nadrin.

“What do you want this eve healer? The lord is still not well.” Her words were full of sadness.  

If the woman was annoyed with their presence, she didn’t act that way at the moment.

“We are here to see if we can determine the cause of the lord’s illness. I have brought someone who knows more about the healing arts than I do.” This admission brought a gasp from Saleene. The admission appeared to have surprised the woman at the door as well, considering her mouth now gaped open, so did the door she had originally held mostly closed. Taking advantage of the moment, Nadrin pushed passed the woman, waving his hand in the air.

*****

“Thank you for allowing us entrance, Melissa. I know you watch our leader like a hawk and for that you will always be held in high esteem.” Said almost formally, Saleene knew he was trying to make her feel an important part of their leader’s healing process.

Without further question, the woman called Melissa opened the door fully to allow them full access into the home. As Saleene’s feet crossed the threshold, a shadow crossed her soul, sending shivers throughout her body. Looking around for the source, she could see nothing but the interior of the home. Unsettled by the feeling of malevolence that was prevalent inside, Saleene inadvertently reached for Dartian’s calm strength.

Looking at the two men next to her, she knew she needed to make sure to protect them from whatever might lie in wait. Chanting under her breath, she pulled forth a protection barrier to surround both men. Once she was sure her barriers were strong enough, she re-opened her eyes and caught Dartian giving her a quizzical look. A quick shrug of her shoulders was all she gave. Let him figure it out, she mused.

The leader’s home was an impressive structure. Large ceilings with intricate designs carved into the wood, with bright colors displayed throughout the interior of the home. Deep blues, reds and greens adorned the tapestries hanging upon the wall. The beauty of the artwork was more than she had expected. Each decal was done in breathtaking detail. So engrossed in the artwork, she nearly bumped into Dartian’s hard frame, his arms quickly steadying her from falling. Feeling embarrassed, she attempted to retreat back toward the door, her eyes downcast toward the ground. She needed to put her focus elsewhere.