The Path of the Protector

The Caves

The first day they were in the caves a severe thunderstorm that passed through the area, and Ashley was glad for it. Their tracks would be obliterated, and so long as they did not leave the caves themselves, nothing to lead anyone to them. She knew their days would be boring, and was glad she had stocked some basic entertainment long before they had need of these caves.

The second day was mostly uneventful until the sun was beginning to set. They heard men and dogs moving through the trees, and his deep in the caves. They fortunately did not discover the caves, and thanks to the rain their trail into the caves was unfindable by the dogs.

It was the evening of the fifth night, and both women had been feeling the increasing effects of the change that was about to come to them. Ashley turned as soon as the moon rose into the sky, and that was when the intense feelings began for Emily. Ashley bounded through the caves, her wolf unable to find the exit from the caves for hours.

Emily felt the burn of her change, and knew that somehow hers was different than normal. Just when she thought the pooping and stretching could not get any more uncomfortable she felt the moon reach its peak. She howled loudly, her first change taking full effect as she heard Selene in her head.

'Finally I can stretch.' Selene said as she changed fully into a Lycan.

Ashley's Wolf ran into the room just than, and out of fear launched herself at Emily. Emily bit her on the neck when she grabbed her, and threw her across the room and into the wall.

Both women collapsed exhausted from their first change, and Emily came too in the meadow again.

Emily looked around as Selene took shape, and the c*****e strewn across the glade was apparent. Two gods had done massive battle, and it was not clear who had been the victor. Both women cautiously explored the grove, following the destruction as they made it deeper.

The found Artemis laying by the spring, blood pouring from several wounds. "Sekhmet." Selene hissed as she saw the wounds and ran to her mother. Emily was not far behind her as the saw the light begin to fade from her body. Her hand was on the Spring, and it appeared her energy was transferring through it.

"My daughter, you are safe for now. It has cost me more than I thought, but was well worth it." Artemis said as she raised her other hand and felt her daughters cheek. "Do not let him get away with wjat he us about to do." she whispered as her hand fell leavinf a streak of blood as the last of Artemis' energy transferred to the spring. A bright flash said she had temporarily lost the ability to hold physical form.

'Go my daughter's, find the Temple of Ankhara. Only there will this be stopped.' Artemis said before she faded into the Moon itself. 'I will do what I can, for now however you must do this alone.'

With a flash Emily woke up to a bright light, and recognized Ashley's father carrying a lantern into their hidden room. Ashley was stirring as well, and she looked at Emily with a curious look.

"There you two are, I am glad you survived. We need to move quickly though, if we are found all will be for naught." Brian said as both girls were able to stand.

"We know, we have seen them twice, fortunately a large thunderstorm passed over just after we got here. Why are the Vampires attacking?" Ashley asked her father.

"We will have to cover that later, we need to get you two to safety. If we can hide for even a few days they may give up and consider the royal family dead." he said as they grabbed what they had brought and erased every trace of their presence. Emily chocked a little as he said that, knowing she was the lone possible survivor of the family.

When they got to the mouth, they had to wait for the Vampire patrol to move past before they could sneak out. They moved as silently as possible, and with the greatest luck the made it through the perimeter of patrols that were looking for them.

Once they were out if sight Brian turned and lead both women to the nearest loyal pack, hoping they would evade the dozens of wandering patrols of Vampires that had suddenly flooded the area.

After 6 hours of them moving as fast as a wolf could in human form, they reached the border of one of the largest packs in this part of the country. The Vampires had attacked twice, and found the pack warriors more than a match for them. They had killed dozens of Vampires in the last 6 days, and had only lost a few of their own as a result.

The 3 of them could hear the Wolves surrounding them, and Emily could smell them as they circled attempting to determine whether they were friend or foe. She didn't know what it was, but she knew they would be safe here until they could get supplies and begin their journey.

"Halt, identify yourself." came the gravely voice of a very irritated wolf.

"Brian Delmont, formerly of the Royal Securoty Council. Alpha Pippin is expecting me." he replied as he had arranged it.

"Who is with you?" The wolf demanded.

"That is a matter between me and the Alpha." Brian replied sternly.

The mans eyes clouded as he communicated with the other Wolves, and nodded as his eyes cleared. "Follow me, attempt to change and my men will attack." he warned as he turned and lead them through the layers of Wolves patrolling the woods outside the pack territory.

It took another 20 minutes to reach their perimeter wall, and the gate was opened just long enough for them to lass through. Their escort lead them to the Pack House, and Alpha Pippin was standing at the tops of the steps waiting for them.

"Brian, what are you doing out and about with two young women who have barely turned in these times?" Pippin demanded as they reached the bottom step.

"That would be best explained in private Alpha." Brian replied to a growl.

"Are you saying you do not trust my pack?" Pippin demanded as several other wolves growled at the suggestion.

"You know who I am Pippin, are you telling me I should trust those I do not know blindly with what is happening?" Brian retorted calmly. His challenge stopped the growls as they understood his position as well. "I trust you, and will tell you everything you need to know. Who you trust those details with will be your decision, and one I hope you treat with the care it deserves."

Pippin laughed after Brian said this. "With what is happening, that is fair enough. Come, let us learn what is so valuable to risk what you have to get here."

They walked into his private office, and it was just the four of them. They all sat and Pippin offered each of them a large glass of a stiff drink. After he had served them he looked at Brian.

"You mentioned me knowing who you are, what does that have to do with the current situation? The Royal Family is dead." Pippin said off handed.

"Not all of them." Emily hissed loudly as Pippin looked at her and his eyes widened.

"You remember my daughter Ashley?" Brian asked him.

Pippin vaguely remembered that his daughter had been assigned as a youth protector to one of the Royal Family. Brian had retired shortly after, and had taken no other jobs in all the years since. "I think I remember the pertinent details, who would this lovely lady be than?" he asked looking at Emily.

"Her charge, and last survivng member. The Vampires have not yet succeeded, we need papers and supplies before we move on." Brian said as Pippin nodded.

"Where will you go?" Pippin asked.

"Sorry Pippin, the Vamps were patrolling outside the last secure place that we had, and almost no one knew of it. Princess Emily's security is more important than the pride or cooperation with any one group." Brian replied.

Pippin nodded, knowing he was right. "You will habe my aid and my hopes. Keep her safe, if she falls, we may be doomed. The Wolf Nation will rally behind her, and I fear no one else. We will provide everything you need, just let us know." he said.

"Documents for all of us, money and transportation." Brian said knowing exactly what he needed.

"All 3 are easy, you can trust we will keep the secret." Pippin said as he made arrangements. They came and took pictures of the 3 of them, and a very short time later returned with official documents that labeled them part of the Black Rock Clan. "They will pass everything but the deepest levels of scrutiny. We could only manage a few thousand in cash, but the car has a fleet card and we will ensure you have a full tank before you depart our lands." Pippin said knowing Brian wouldn't like it much.

"Much appreciated, I believe your lands end just short of the Interchange doesn't it?" Brian asked and Pippin knew why.

"It does indeed, and I would have it no other way. I have no desire to know which way you go." Pippin said smiling.

The Interchange was the connection of 4 seperate major highways, and they would be able to go in almost any direction once they left. It was the perfect place for them to disappear, and they would be able to go in any direction.

It was an hour later, and the 3 of them were headed for the truck stop that the Pack owned to make money from all the travelers. "We need to decide where to go from here." Brian said to both girls.

"We need to find the Temple of Ahnkara, that is most important right now." Emily said without explaining further.

Brian looked at her in the rear view mirror, and she could tell that what she had said struck a nerve. "I am not sure what you wish to accomplish there, but it is not a journey I would advise. It is in the heart of the domain controlled by the Feral Wolves." the information sent a chill down her spine, but she knew she had to go regardless.

"Advised or not, it is where I need to go. Everything else is unimportant until we have that piece of the puzzle." Emily replied as he pulled into the truck stop. There was a checkpoint as they pulled in, and Brian grew nervous as he had not wanted to test these identities so soon. Pippin was in thencar ahead of them, and it was clear he was arguing with the humans operating the station.

When they pulled up, the officers had pictures. "Possible match here." said the giard looking at Emily. "Papers, now." he demanded as Brian rolled all the windows down as he had been instructed.

Emily handed over her new papers, and the guard scrutinized them before scanning them. "Where are you going?" he demanded of her.

"Not sure, headed on a long vacation and did not plan any stops." Emily said as they truly had not made any plans yet. As she explained the scan turned green indicating she was not the one they wanted.

"Here are your papers. All clear." the Officer said to the others as they were allowed to enter.

They got to the truck stop, and it was clear that the humans had been tricked into hunting her for the vampires. It was not difficult to manipulate the humans into locating supernatural creatures, the challenge was when they ignored the warnimgs of extreme caution.

They fueled without further incident, and stocked up on snacks flr their journey. Just as they were preparing to leave, Pippin walked up and handed Emily a small beacon. "Activate it, and I will ensure friendly forces arrive as swiftly as possible." he whispered.

"Give us a day and leak the rumor. Princess Emily survived the attack and has escaped the Vamps thus far. Prepare who is loyal for war, resist quietly where you can until I activate it." Emily told him beforengettimg in the car.