Enemy of the King

The Wolfkin

In the morning, Calano and Henry left as early as they could without arousing suspicions. As soon as they were out of town, Henry let out a sigh of relief. But secretly, he was still very worried. Calano had already been recognized once. Henry could feel the noose tightening around his throat. Sooner or later someone Calano couldn't persuade would find out what he is and would capture him. Then Henry would be left without an apprentice.

"What's that noise?" Calano asked.

"What noise?" Henry wondered. He didn't hear anything.

"That sort of howling noise. It didn't come from a wolf. It sounded wrong."

"Wolfkin," Henry growled. "Larger than normal wolves and smarter too. But they don't travel in packs, which is a mercy."

"Don't they hunt only at night?" Calano asked, worry sparking his gaze.

"You're thinking of werewolves. Wolfkin are much nastier." Henry reached for his sword and drew it. "Watch the road. They like to jump out in front of riders in order to spook their horses."

Calano also reached for his sword, a new acquisition that Henry had gotten him in the village. Calano didn't like it as much as the bow, but maybe that was because he was more used to a bow than a sword. As he drew it, he heard a low growl and he stopped his horse. Henry followed suit, which was good because suddenly a Wolfkin burst out of the bushes in front of them. It had blood on its fangs and teeth and it growled at them. It was about the size of Storm, Calano's horse, but perhaps slightly taller in the shoulders. It had dappled brown fur and large amber eyes and a wolfish face. What was unmistakenable was the intelligence in its gaze and the ferocity with which it regarded its new prey.

"Back off," Calano said, trying to convey a silent message to the Wolfkin. I am an elf. Don't mess with me.

The Wolfkin cocked its head, its expression confused. And just then, a small group of what looked like knights burst through the foliage and attacked the Wolfkin. The Wolfkin howled and turned to fight them, which proved to be a fatal mistake. One knight stabbed it right through the heart and it died.

Henry then dismounted to greet the knights. "Hey there," he said in a friendly manner. "Thanks for dealing with that for us."

The knight extended his hand in greeting. "Pleased to be of service. Unfortunately, the creature ate most of our horses."

"It is a Wolfkin. They tend to do that," Henry replied honestly.

"Come, you should join us for a meal," the knight offered. "It is not often we meet adventurers."

"I'll speak with my apprentice and then we'll join you," Henry said.

The knight nodded and Henry approached Calano. "We have to. It would be a breach of courtesy otherwise."

Calano nodded. "I understand." He then dismounted and took Storm's reigns to lead the horse into the knight's camp.