The Maiden and the Wolf---- *A Fantasy Romance story*
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*Chapter 24*
Elena POV
I sat, my legs pulled up against my chest, my chin resting on my knees, staring into the fire that was burning brightly in the middle of the small clearing we had found to spend the night.
Dakota sat beside me, his eyes fixed on Vell who was standing opposite leaning against a tree his arms folded.
Vell and Dakota had told me everything, how they met and how they had become friends and how Dakota had shouted and ordered Vell away. I wasn't angry with ever of them and most importantly Dakota wasn't upset with me; Vell had been honest in front of him what his feelings towards me were.
Also Dakota knew that I felt nothing but friendship towards Vell, no matter how hard he wanted it to be then that.
Eve and Vinson reappeared both with a large rabbit in their hand and the three wolves slipped into the amber flow of the fire and set down their catches, another rabbit and two plump pidgins.
My Uncle Locke quickly began to pluck the birds and Vinson and Eve skinned and gutted the rabbits.
Soon the meats were cooking over the fire and the rich mouth-watering smell of sizzling meat filled the clearing, the smoke from the fire rising into the air and out above the tree canopy.
I laid my head on Dakota's warm shoulder and breathed in his comforting smell, my body was relaxed and exhausted but my thoughts wouldn't settle, questions and worries flittered around my brain like caged birds.
Finally I reluctantly broken the calm silence and ask the question I knew everyone was wondering.
"Will the sorceress come back?"
I felt Dakota flinched against me and I rubbed his arm with hand to reassure him.
"Not likely," said the man who had arrived with Vell, he had been with us for a good three hours now and we didn't know who he was.
"The sorceress is working for Lord Peric now, she will be reporting back to him," he continued, his voice deep and knowing.
"Who's Lord Peric?" Dakota asked, his voice almost a growl.
I noticed the wolves ears prick up at his voice.
"A very ancient very powerful warlock," he said gravely, "he wishes to rule the kingdom and is willing to start a war that could consume the entire land to get want he wants."
"He's willing to destroy the kingdom through war when what he wants is to rule it," snorted Locke, "sounds to me like this Lord Peric needs to rethink his strategy."
"Don't underestimate him," said the man, his head snapping around to glare at Locke, "he's very dangerous and clever."
"Is he the one who commands the Reapers?" I asked.
The man nodded slowly, "there his special warriors."
"OK," I said slowly, fear and excitement rising up inside of me, "we have to find Lord Peric."
"Didn't you hear what I just said?" gapped the man.
"He has my little sister and I will not rest until I have rescued her!"
Dakota put a strong arm around my shaking shoulders and said more to me then the man.
"None of us will Elena that I promise you."
