The Path of the Protector

Friendly Place

Brian got on the Highway headed northeast after Pippin had left the truck stop, and Brian was mulling over what he was going to say.

"Spit it out dad, no secrets right now." Ashley said stubbornly from the passenger seat. Her anger was close tonthe surface because of her very recent change. The fact either of them was Human at all was surprising as mkst wolves remained stuck that way for atleast a week.

"I think I should say the same to you two, there are definitely things you know I do not. If you want my assistance, you will have to reveal the same." he said as he pulled into a rest area to see if they were being followed.

"I have not decided if I am going to trust you yet Brian. What do you want to know?" Emily asked him from the back seat.

"Why Ahnkara?" he asked looking in the mirror.

"The Moon Goddess." Emily answered simply not revealing more.

Brian's eyes widened as most had not believed in the old religion for years. His family was one of the few, and he knew Ashley had a hard time hiding it at first. "She left our people long ago, she cannot help us now." Brian said resigned to knowing that in his heart.

"You do not believe that, and I can tell." she said as her eyes began glowing purple. "It does not matter what happened in the past, only what is happening now. The Moon Goddess has summoned us there, so that is where we must go. All I know is the key to the answer is there, if you wish to join me, you are welcome. If not we will travel as far as you are willing to go, after that you can go your own way." She said as her eyes slowly returned to normal.

Brian crossed his heart skowly as he bowed his head. Her chastisement had shocked him, and her eyes he knew were unique. "I will protect you as long as is required, to the gates of hell if I must. Ashley, it is your own decision if you join us." Brian said to her.

"No, it is not father. Where she goes, her protector goes. My calling is far more than anything the Wolf Nation could hope to match." Ashley said firmly as her eyes glowed white.

Brian was extremely shocked, as he knew no wolf in history had a color other than blue. "Very well, there are a few things you shoukd know about the Lost Pack. They are by no means feral, however it is not something I would pin your hopes on. They are Lycans, and all the horror stories you have heard about them are likely true." he said as both of their eyes began to glow again.

"I certainly hope not, but we will cross that bridge when we arrive to it." Emily said before Ashley could say anything.

"What do I not know?" Brian asked seriously.

"Father, there are some things you should take on faith. The answer to that question is one of them." Ashley said to him seriously.

They had traveled for hours, and filled up with gas twice before Brian stopped as it drew closer to midnight. They got two rooms, and the girls shared one with Ashley on the bed near the door. They had only used the cash so far, and Brian had ensured the beacon could not transmit at one of their many stops. It was what he said, and required activation before it would send their location.

Ashley turned on the news and the National Story about her family is that they had all been killed in an attack. The authorities of course had no clue who did it, and it had been speculated that one family member had possibly survived. Local authorities were looking for more information about Emily's whereabouts.

They watched for any sign of other news, and didn't see any before they shut the television off and went to bed.

Selene was walling through the orchard as a child when Sehkmet arrived to be his usual annoying self. She disliked his red eyes, as they reminded her of blood.

"How lomg do you intend to keep me from my daughter Artemis?" he demanded with his booming voice.

"She will be protected from you and your filth until my dying breath Sehkmet. You dare assume I do not know what your followers did on your orders? You have declared war, and I shall ensure your minions do not pose a threat ever again!" Artemis yelled as she blasted him with the full might of her powers. The blast of moon driven power hit him square in the chest, and forced him to flee from her before she destroyed him.

Sehkmet felt the drain, as the wolves ferociously responded to the unprovoked attack against them. They decimated the Vampires they had coexisted with for so long, and it took what little power he had left to save the last of his children.

Emily woke up after a few hours, Ashleys alarm blaring to get their attention to leave. They did not yet dare to stay in one place too long yet. They still did not trust that they had escaped the Vampires intent on killing her.

It took 3 days of driving for them to cross the country, and arrive at the border of the territory of the Feral Wolves. It aas well known that most who entered it, never returned from the depths. They parked at the campground on the very edge of the forest, and each of them grabbed the Packs they had purchased with the last of their money. It was still nearly 200 miles to their destination, and Brian expected they would not make it anywhere close before they were intercepted by the Lycans.

They walked into the woods, and followed the path that led straight to the border. Many local customs would see the teens make the trek to the border and see if they could spot anything. It was clear where the border was, as the path became much less well traveled.

Brian stopped at it, and both girls nearly walked straight into him as they had not expected it. "I will follow your lead Highness." Brian said as she moved to cross the boundary when the shaft of an arrow landed at her feet.

Orange eyes light up all around them, and it was clear their intent had been clear. "Not one more step little ones." a gravely voice said from the shadows.

"We have urgent business that we must attend to. May we have permission tonenter your realm?" Emily asked as the man walked forward.

"Little Wolves have no business in our lands. You turned your backs to us long ago, and have become weaker with time." the man said as several of them growled around her. There were several colors of eyes, and it was clear Brian was nervous at the display.

"Call me little one more-" Ashley said before Emily smacked her arm.

"I was called by the Moon Goddess to travel to Ahnkara, will you allow me and.my companions to pass?" Emily asked him.

"I cannot grant you access, but I will summon the one with whom you may speak. Wait here and do not attempt to enter our territory again." he said roughly before disappearing back into the trees.

They sat in the little clearing there for several hours, waiting for the return of the man. Emily could hear the Lycans running around, although she was extremely careful to not react to the noises they were making.

Brian would jump when they snapped a twig just inside his hearing, but Ashley and Emily were able to hear them before they snapped the twig.

Emily was the first to perk up as she heard the even footsteps of two people walking side by side. She suspected they were nearly half a mile away, and the Lycans keepimg a careful eye very close by noticed it a second later than she had. Ashley was a few seconds behind them, but still nearly 30 seconds before Brian was able to.

By the time the elderly Lycan approached and crossed the border, it was only him. "Well that is a very interesting claim indeed. Why should we Lycans who are closest to Artemis believe she would chose you as her envoy?" he asked before he sat down with Emily and Ashley gracefully.

Emily smiled as she sensed it was pride that made him ask this. "Father, I will be honest with you. Until 10 days ago I believed in Artemis the Moon Goddess less than I did the terrible Lycans that had turned feral. Come to find out that Lycans are not feral, and after seeing the Meadow and speaking with her, I will never doubt her existence again. Believe what you wish, it does not alter the fact that she has called me to Ahnkara. Will you allow me and my companions to enter your territory, or will force be necessary to gain entry?" Emily asked him seriously.

The Elder Lycan laughed at that, as he found the idea of her forcing her way in ludicrous. However because of her close proximity to Wolves since her change, he could not tell she was more than met the eye. "I would have no issue allowing you to cross our land. However I cannot spare the escort you would require to arrive there safely." he told her.

Emily looked at him with a smile. "Than allow us to pass, what tests we must face to appease the Moon Goddess shall be ours to bear. We do not require an escort, as I assure you we can fend for ourselves." she replied evenly. The laughter from several directions coming closer made Brian and Ashley jump, and the Elder watched as she almost had no reaction at all.

"We Feral Wolves are not what you should fear in these woods, we are but the caretakers for what the world has long forgotten. You say you are called to Ahnkara by the Moon Goddess herself? May she protect you on your journey. We shall give you a map, and I shall walk with you as far as the village. I will alert the others of your claims, and should you arrive at Ahnkara you will be welcomed. Be warned however, we Lycans are tame compared to what you will encounter on your adventure." The Elder said as he stood.

All 3 of them stood with him, and he was true to his word. An hour later they arrived at a small village, and he took them to the center of town. They watched as children ran around and the adults kept a wary eye on them.

It took only a few minutes for him to return with the map, and a few supplies that they could spare. "May you find what you seek, and may Artemis protect you. You will find your journey begins that way, and remember you were warned." the Elder said pointing them down one of the darker paths leading from the village.