The Hour of The Wolves

Chapter XXIII

It was the last night of the festive events. The citizens were gathering on the cathedral square for the last big celebration. Everybody was there. Some were fanatics and believed in the bishop, while some were just scared that if they didn’t go, they will be punished. When the clock hit eight the grand doors of the cathedral opened. Four great black wolves escorted the bishop as he walked out and climbed the podium. The feeble old man almost lost under the rich cloaks and artifacts he wore. He waited a little for the crowed the calm and became silent.

“And here we all my dear flock! The last night of our celebration arrived. I am glad that so many of you took part in the events and showed that they are true believers. “He pointed to the four wolves. “These excellent followers of Fenrisúlfr had already achieved their transcendence to the realm of the worthy. Look at them, these noble hunters. The best of the best. May they stand as an example before you. “ He looked over his people standing there in silent. “For today the rules have changed. You may all be hunters and hunted. When the sun rises over the horizon only the strongest shall survive, but all of them will receive the blessing of the great wolf. “ As he spoke the masks on the people’s face changed into a grey wolf one.

“And now, let the last event began.” He said and walked back to the cathedral. After the door closed with a loud slam  an eerie silence settled in among the people. Like the calm before to storm, nobody moved. They were like stretched springs and for the smallest thing they could have snapped. Everybody was watching the ones beside them. For the slightest movement the smallest sing they would have attacked each other, but no one wanted to be the first. For a few moments nothing happened, then one young man made a step back in nervousness. As unlucky he was, he stepped on the toe of a big man behind him which made him jump. The big man pushed another as he jumped. Everything escalated so quickly after that. The man who was pushed, thought he was attacked so he took out his knife and slashed open the throat of the other. The blood sprayed far above the heads of the crowed. Painted the hairs of many into the shade of deep rusty red. Chaos erupted everywhere on the square. The people jumped at each other hitting, slashing, striking each other with whatever they could get their hands on. The fighting spread through the whole city and with their magically increased bloodlust they even enjoyed it. At on point someone broke an oil lamp and the houses started to catch fire illuminating the m******e in Grimwalden. Blood flowed down the sewer in thick streams and screams filled the streets. From time to time one of the murderers who took enough life already went trough the change. They grew fangs, their skin ripped, and they continued the killing in the form on giant black wolves. As the fire and fighting slowly took over the city there were only one place where one could run for safety. Most of the citizen who were afraid fled to the little smithy in the end of that alleyway. As people ran there, they attracted to bloody thirty wolves and crowd, but non could go further than the entrance as there stood Mat. In the dancing light of the burning houses he looked like a titan stepped out of the ancient legends forged form iron and stone. He was half naked with a giant twohanded sledgehammer in his hands working restlessly like a windmill smashing down men and wolf like they were paper dolls.

“Here, Here! Come everybody who want to find shelter shall enter the workshop!” He shouted as he smashed another enemy to the ground who wanted to jump on him from the roofs. Behind him Durthan shouted command for his men who supported Mat with guns and other firearms.

“Give them what they deserve lads. Don’t let them barge into our home.” He ordered as a new wave of enemies approached. There were too many of them thought with a bunch of wolves among the masked men.

“We only need five more minutes to bring everybody in Mat! Hold on ! “ He called out to his apprentice.

The gigantic man looked at his master then to the enemy closing upon them.

“Five minutes, hmm.” He looked down on himself. He could see the under the dried blood of his foes he was injured beyond help, but for five minutes, for five minutes he might be able to hold on before stepping through the veil.

“Okay master, five more minutes it is. Give me cover and… Thank you.” They eye linked for a second with understanding. He could see a small tear leaving the old dwarf’s eye, but he must have imagined. The master would never cry for such reason. He got a better grip on his hammer and stepped out to the welcome the enemy. They were approaching in pairs, trying to divide his attention. Mat stepped to right blocking one’s path giving a free strike o the other. He fell for it  the masked man tried to jump on him, but Mat anticipated he attack so he could evade it and countered it with a strike on the skull and continued the arch of the hammer down to the head of the other attacker.. Two loud cracking indicated he succeeded, but he didn’t stop to make sure, he had no time. While the first two distracted him, the others closed the circle jumping at him at once. They were about to win the fight even though Mat took the life of almost half of the before they managed to pull him down to the ground and swarm. Mat could feel that he spent all his power, but it was a good fight, it was a good life he smiled then he shouted out.

“Master do it. Now! “

The old dwarf looked at his apprentice for the last time.

“There goes another good man.” He thought and shouted out loud.” Throw the crystals at them!”

Several of those explosive cherub ores flew out. They hit the ground and enveloped Mat and the attackers in white flames.

“Let’s head down to the workshop men.” Said Dur sadly. “ Let his sacrifice not be in vain.” As he walked down the stairs, he could feel the weight of his years more then ever.

“It seems I have lost too many friends, yet I fear he was not the last.”