Forgotten prophecy

Chapter 1

THIS IS NOT MY STORY. I AM POSTING HERE WITH PERMISSION OF HallowedRider. HE IS A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE AND THIS IS HIS STORY EXCEPT FOR ONE PIECE OF IT.

The first howls pierced the night, a familiar sound. The sound of wolves who had just come across the scent of their prey. That in itself was not anything to worry about. But what Ryker did find odd was the simple existence of wolves in this part of the forest. So what are you doing here Children of the Moon? He put a hand to the earth and closed his eyes, feeling through the ground for the wolves.

When he discovered them he immediately knew that there was something amiss. The wolves were not alone. They were running with a large group of people and moving far faster than any wolves or human should be able to. He was in the middle of a small clearing ringed by trees that were seemingly as old as the forest itself. He saw no reason to run from the wolves nor those that accompanied them. They most likely weren't there for him to begin with and even if they were he was confident that he could handle them easily. He was in his element well and truly. The forest was his home and the forest protected its own. No sense in not being prepared though. He walked up to one of the trees that he was surrounded by and put his hand against the bark. He felt the stirrings of the tree's power and smiled to himself. Do you mind, Old One? He asked.

For a moment he wondered if the tree would deny his request. It had happened before. The older a tree was the greater the aid it could offer, but the chance that the tree would deny his request was also higher. But it seemed that the tree didn't mind helping him then. A handle protruded from the tree and Ryker grasped it immediately, drawing a massive longbow from the tree. A dozen arrows fell out after the bow and Ryker gave a small sigh of annoyance as he bent to pick them up. Thanks. He told the tree.

He touched his hand to the ground again, listening through the earth or any sign of the wolves and their companions. Ryker knew something was wrong then as he could no longer sense either of the groups. He notched an arrow to the bow and set the others in a small leather quiver that hung at his lower back. With the bow and arrow held in his right hand he casually leaned against the tree he had just 'spoken' with and put his left hand against the bark. In this position Ryker was at his most dangerous.

The wolves entered the clearing first. They pawed quietly up to Ryker and formed a loose semicircle around him, their mouths twitching with snarls. He smiled at them with no animosity and narrowed his eyes. He had seen wolves before, he had even raised a few when their packs abandoned them. These were not natural wolves, at least not any sort that he had seen before. These wolves were snow white, every one of them. They were also all female. Odd. Usually a pack this big should have at least one male for breeding.

One of the wolves made to take a step towards Ryker. Before the paw had even hit the ground the wolf had an arrow sticking out of its chest. The beast was not even able to give a cry of pain as it slumped to the ground, dead. Hear me now Daughters of the Moon. Ryker warned. The wolves gave a worried whine in unison, but Ryker continued communicating with them. He wasn't speaking to them, not truly. He was sending them vague impressions and emotions that would convey the general meaning he had in mind. I want no part in your hunt. Go now, and you may leave in peace. Stay, and I will skin the pelts from your bodies.

They gave another long whine and they backed up several feet but they didn't slink away. "Fine." Ryker muttered, nocking another arrow. The body of the first wolf had vanished and her hide was the only thing left of her. He aimed at the wolf that was directly in front of him and that was when he heard the sound of footfalls coming from the woods behind him. They're good. He thought miserably. They're that close and I'm only just now hearing them.

Ryker took a deep breath and spun around suddenly. He sent three arrows flying at the unknown intruders in the blink of an eye and had another one nocked before the wolves had even registered his movement. Once their shock wore off they howled and lunged for him with the cohesion only a pack could boast. It was for naught however. Two went down in less than a second and the other six were sent tumbling away. Ryker drew back his bow and was about to release when a sudden overwhelming smell of ozone assaulted his nostrils. He looked up at the night sky in confusion, and was hit by a lightning bolt that seemed to come from the trees. He was sent tumbling back and his bow was wrested from his grip in the fall. He landed on his back, staring up at the stars. His chest ached from where the bolt of lightning had struck him and he could barely draw in breath. Ryker shrugged off the pain and got to his feet casting a quick glance at the area around him. They came from the woods, sauntering into the clearing with their bows drawn and superior expressions on their faces. They were all dressed in silver and white and they seemed to have some sort of glow about them that Ryker could not place. They drew their bows back as one and trained their arrows on him, none of them wavering so much as an inch. He backed up warily until he bumped into a tree. He put both of his hands to the tree like he had before when he had requested the tree for a bow, but he did not ask this time. He pulled a bow from the tree, ignoring the outrage that he felt from the wood. The girls seemed startled by the appearance of his weapon and Ryker allowed himself a feral grin. He held the bow in his right hand and very slowly reached into his quiver. An arrow grazed his shoulder and buried itself into the tree he had just taken his bow from. "Set your weapon down." One of the girls commanded, stepping forward. Unlike the others she wore a shield at her back, though she still had her bow in hand. "Now."