The Enchantments: Book 2 - The Key of Gandar

Chapter 15: The Ancient Zone

Simeneon had never felt so free, the sled, the clean fresh air, and the beautiful scenery. The dogs reacted remarkably to every move she made in direction. This is what she needed after all the stress she had been feeling in the last few months. For the first time in a long time, she felt she didn't have a care in the world. She was almost disappointed when the Inuit village came into view and the villagers turned their heads to watch the dog team come through the center of town.

Simeneon stepped off the back of the sled, then walked forward to the front and thanking the lead dog Suttor with a scratch behind his ears. "Thanks, pal, hope we get a chance to do that again." The dog gave her a lick on the hand in response. She smiled and walked over to an older man seated on a bench in front of a rather dilapidated old hut.

"Excuse me, but can you direct me to where Chief Yessetti can be found?" Simeneon stood to wait for the man to respond. She felt that uncomfortable feeling as the old man stared intently at her. She began to notice others walking over and peering at her through uncertain eyes.

Simeneon peered around feeling a little nervous as more and more people began to gather. "I don't mean anyone any harm, please could you tell me where Chief Yessetti is?" Like the other man, the group of individuals congregating said nothing.

She sighed and began to walk back to the sled. Maybe the team had brought her to the wrong village. 'What was she going to do now?' She thought dejectedly. She was about to get back on the sled when a scream came from down the street. She looked up quickly noticing that no one else seemed to be reacting. Then another, this time sounding more in distress.

Simeneon jumped from the back and without hesitating ran down the street in the direction she thought the screams had come from. The villagers looked at her in confusion as she bolted away and began looking desperately down small alleyways in search of the screamer.

Halfway down the gravel road, she caught sight of a small girl around four years old standing petrified at the back end of a dead end alleyway. Guarding the exit to the street stood a very heated wolf and by the looks of it, it wasn't too happy.

She slinked into the alley waiting for the wolf to make a move; at least then the little girl would be safe. She motioned to the girl and gave her a wink. The wolf turned to face her, its fangs glistening white in the freezing air.

Backing away from the wolf it was her objective to take it as far away from the youngster as possible. As she backed out of the alley, she saw the villagers slowly making their way towards her in confusion. The second they saw the wolf come out of the alley behind her they understood. The second the wolf made its way past the entrance, she took off towards the outskirts of the town with the wolf in hot pursuit.

Simeneon had never felt so scared the hot breath of the wolf nipping at her heels. She thought she was almost clear when the wolf hit her from behind with full force. She fell to the ground hard, feeling the pressure of the wolf tearing apart the coat she wore. She screamed as the wolf tore hard into the fur and within seconds had reached the small of her back. She waited with baited breath, as she knew the inevitable was close. But all of a sudden the pressure stopped and she felt the weight of the animal gone. She rolled to her back staring in disbelief. "RA!!!" She screamed in pleasure.

The hawk was on the wolf like an animal possessed, its talons ripping through the fur as if its life depended on it. Ra squealed and squeaked dragging the wolf howling into the open field and away from Simeneon. The wolf began to drag itself away trying in vain to escape.

But the bird had made a huge mistake, it had got too close to its face and with a quick snap of its neck it caught the bird with flashing teeth and sent it smashing hard to the ground.