Ice Wolf

And old enemy (9)

We freeze and watch as the entire pack surrounds us, closing in all sides.
With the horses gone, there is little hope of escaping.

I hear the sound of metal scraping as Gavin's sword slides out of his scabbard. He takes an experienced swordsman stance. I am surprised at how comfortable he looks handling a sword, as if it's an extension of his body.

I realize we're going to have to fight for our lives, so I pull my bow out of the straps on my back and hold it before me. I draw an arrow and notch it, ready to shoot. I may not be as comfortable as Gavin is with a weapon, but I have hunted plenty of times and know how to hold my own against an animal- even a dangerous one.

The wolves close in and then three wolves are lunging at the same time, coming at us from all sides. We stand back to back to offer as much protection as possible. Now, THESE are the kind of wolves I imagined.

I draw and release- thunk. My arrow hits it's target, a smaller brown wolf running for my legs. It stops dead in it's tracks and yelps, trying desperately to remove the arrow protruding from it's side.

I see Gavin's blade gleaming as it arcs down and stops a black wolf that was jumping for his throat. He continues his thrust and is able to put down another wolf coming at his side.

I continue to shoot any wolves advancing, trying to keep the endless wave of canines at bay.

Another- another, they just keep coming! I hit one wolf in the leg and it scurries off to safety.

I am drawing and aiming for a large grey wolf and don't notice the brown one flying at me, just to my left. I turn just in time to see it's sharp teeth coming at me, and so I brace myself for the bite. But it never comes. I open my eyes to see that Gavin has come just in time, his blade putting an end to the vicious wolf's life. But, with his attempt to protect me, he has left himself exposed for just a moment too long. And the wolves take advantage of that moment.

Kummatz jumps and hits Gavin square in the chest, knocking him to the ground. I draw and aim at the black mound attacking Gavin, but another wolf bites down on the wrist holding the bow. I scream and drop it, which allows another wolf to drag me to the ground.

Wolves tear at me from all sides, but for some reason I can't feel them.
I begin to fade. I can feel darkness closing in. My whole body feels numb, as if I'm not really there. I spare one glance at Gavin and see him staring at me with sad eyes.

"I'm sorry," he whispers.

My eyelids droop. I faintly hear many horse's hooves above the snarling of the attacking wolves.

"Get that one..." A distant voice sounds. I hear only bits and pieces until everything blurs and starts to fade away.

"I'm sorry..." I think I hear Gavin say again, but I'm not sure of it was him or just my imagination.

And then blackness swallows me up.

----------

Sounds. Sounds and noises are everywhere. And every last one is torture. I can't make sense of any of the voices, but the little sounds... Sweeping. A lock clicking. A hearth fire being steeped.

They sound like thunder in my ears, too loud to close out. And then the voices come clear.

"-Will take time. Keep her in bed."

"How long?" I recognize Gavin's familiar voice.

"Could be days, could be weeks. And take it easy yourself, mind you."

I suddenly realize that everything is black, But I can hear.

I force my eyes open and make out Gavin and a stranger standing over me, talking. Gavin is covered in bandages.
The stranger is in fancy clothes and has a brown leather bag he is carrying.
A doctor.