The Black Wolf

ya's

oward him, my heart beating faster with each stri

ht tore through the clearing like a falling star, brilliant and fierce. In th

se of the chaos. Before anyone could truly g

a surprise attack on Xareth's men. Screams filled the air, stee

to the ground, my elbow slamming against a jagged stone. Pain s

of Xareth's soldiers with a sword in his grip. He wasn't trained like the warriors,

couldn't bear the thought of him getting hurt. But we were losing. Xareth's

couldn't hold them back. He struck at Xareth, but it was raw, un

ing fighters fell to their knees in su

Xareth ordered, his

on's wrists were tied, his sword ripped from his gr

ith me to Crimson Du

those with no strength but eyes that burned with rebellion. They would be useful, somehow. I tri

it for himself. He tied his stallion to the front, adding it to the six already harnessed. The other carriages w

tunned and silent,

e said, exte

But in the en

his men guarded the stolen riches and the bound captives. Crimso

ge rocked gently as it rolled forward. He watched me inte

y beautiful

see anything outside. Something about him unsettled me, the way he looked at me l

our name?"

I hadn't spoken a word

ed, as though it had forgotten how to form words. Mayb

rmured. His eyes drifted

ch," I said quickl

knee, gently taking my arm. I stiffened, but didn't pull away. From the inner pocket of his coat,

. There was something otherworldly about Xareth, something ancient. When he looked up and our eye

e around me,"

earth. My body began to relax against the plush cushions. My eyes grew heavy, the weight of exh

ess. I stood amidst a field of the dead, bodies piled around me, blood soaking the soil. My han

gasp, my hands flying to my

a nightmare," a v

through the windows, bathing the carriage in soft, golden light. It

hest, part gratitude, part confusion

n stool now stood between us, and on it sat a golden tray with a steaming bowl of soup, baked bread, and a

used. Where did

kfast," he said, gest

. "Have we been

ed, his eyes ne

from my pack, the prisoners, Zevarion, they

en? Had he slept at all? The image of him, walki

ng?" Xareth asked

I answered, though

head slightl

d speak freely. But something

brook," I said care

nothing. Then, to my

lose to one. We'll

, unsure if I'd

stop...

alf-smile.

dness, but it did. And it unsettl

e captives could also have some

he request timid. I expected him

t a proble

uncertain how to feel. My hands remained

ved at the brook. Xareth stepped down from the carriage first. His soldiers were already in

n my own, my eyes scanning the crowd

s gone, but their hands still bound. Some dropped to their knees, drinkin

der, dirt smeared across his skin, his wrists still boun

lips. I took a step forward, longing to go to hi

said quietly, more a st

answer. I

e rising above the murmur of the

canning the faces of the weary captives. "And not out of mercy,

ed on them, dar

h, if anyone attempts to run or raise a hand against my

. Even the birds above see

of my men. We'll hunt for tonight's meal

quickly, unsure

once. Two of his soldiers followed him, disappearing betw

stayed back, watching t

r the uneven ground to Zevarion. He was kneeling

hed beside him, my brea

softly, barely mo

midair. Slowly he turned to look at me,

his gaze. No hatred. Only

mbling from my lips in a rush, "I'm not work