The Path of the Protector

The Wilds

Ashley, Emily and Brian spemt the day with vatious teams of the warriors, and were given multiple tips on how to bring Lycans down quickly and efficently. Lycans were one of the most powerful supernatural creatures there were, as not even the Gods could withstand a Pack of Lycan Warriors. They trained for war their entire lives, and had developed armors and weapons that would survive the transition from man to wolf over the centuries. They had limited forms of magic, as most of them could trave their lineage to one or more of her iterations of life when she established each of these villages.

That evening they were fed well, as they knew that the most dangerous oart of the journey was ahead of them. They enjoyed the conversation, and knew that the 3 of them were about to undergo their training again so that they could receive the warning of what this portion if the hourney represented.

Priestess Heather stood at the front of the room, just below the Alpha who sat in front of a picture that depicted Josephine, the 4th life of Selene that had founded this village after her tasks had been completed. "Once again the Wolf Protector has completed her training, and ventures forth into the wilds of our nation. Your tasks to this point have been to prepare you to survive what is to come. Your tasks going forward will be to survive the challenges that lay ahead. 3 of them remain, and each will test you to the limits of what you are capable of.

"These challenges are essentially straight forward, and no mystery is required to tell you what you will face. Between here and the Cliffton, is where the Rogues of our Race are banished. The wild creatures attack all but rhe most heavily fortified caravans, of which we have none departing for several more weeks. You are welcome to wait as even they are often attacked, however as you have said time is of the essence.

"I suggest you travel lightly, as speed and stealth will be your best allies. It is a full days journey to the next village, if you are quick about it. I highly recommend you avoid being on the road when night falls, for the Feral Lycans who roam the wilds are mostly Nocturnal creatures." Heather essentially told what they faced. What she hadn't said was that no party this small had ever survived, and that their chances were slim.

"Thank you Priestess, we will accept your warning and depart at first light. It has been an honor to train with the Warriors of the Plains, and am humbled to know that such skill still exists." Emily said before the 3 of them departed.

Emily slept fitfully as dreams of the previous 2 journeys through this territory filled her dreams, and the last time 2 dozen Lycans had been lost before she alone walked into Cliffton exhausted and near death. She knew it was going to take every ounce of skill they had to make this trek, and she slept just enough to recover the strength she was going to need.

Ashley amd Brian awoke with her before the world was even beginning to lighten, and set out after a quick breakfast in the dining room. The cook had eagerly given them a small amount of rations, and they each had their weapons and armor padded sonthey would make as little noise as possible.

Just as the world began to turn gray, they left the village in the quiet morning. They moved as swiftly as they could without making a large amount of noise, and knew they had exactly 25 miles to the next village. Running full out they could make it in 6 hours, but they had to restrain their speed however, and would be lucky to make it between 9 and 12 hours.

The further into the forest, the darker it got. Emily realized it would soon be dark under this canopy, and there would be no light to help them. She heard a howl in the distance, and knew their time before they were found was running out.

They covered half the distance before they ran into the first 3 sleeping Rogues, and the smell eminating from the made it clear what they were. Just like Wolves when they were cast out it left a distinct odor upon the one cast out. They killed all 3 without a sound, and made it another two miles before the howlbalerted those nearby to their presence.

They could hear the howls being returned around them, and knew that there was no hope of making it through without a large encounter. They increased their speed, and were able to break through the line before the dozens of rogues blocked the entire route. They however picked up two who were chasing them, and Emily knew a confrontation would be imminent.

The snarls quickly fell in behind them, as it sounded like a stampede was chasing them. Emily looked back to see dozens of Lycans chasing them, with more joining the further they made it. She sensed they were corralling them, rather than attacking, and she felt so long as that held true they might make it.

She had hope after 5 miles the Lycans would not be able to catch them, and just as that hope sprang up, it was destroyed by the actions of the Feral Lycans. All 3 of them cam skidding to a stop about 40 yards short of where the barricade had been erected, just in time for one of the most impressive roars she had ever heard eminate from a Wolf or Lycan. It lasted 10nfull seconds, and Emily heard the stampede startle and begin tripping over itself to stop as they closed the trap.

As soon as the Lycan shut her mouth, sje began shifting back into her human, and approached Emily and the group unarmed. Brian was about to draw his when he heard a growl from Emily to stop him.

Once she was within 10 yards, she growled again a lot louder this time. She was simply warning the Lycan, who stopped dead in her tracks and looked at her. "What is it you hope to achieve? Killing me only ensures we all die." Emily demanded from her as she sensed no threat from the Lycans surrounding them now.

The young woman before her laughed, and the Lycans surrounding them chortled along with her as Emily stared right at her. "If I wanted you dead we would have just shot arrows. If you had not run you would have been escorted to me, rather than having this conversation in the middle of a dark and bleak road." the woman replied with the humor heavy in her voice. "No, we just wish for a chance to speak with the mighty protector of one who gives justice. With a demand that we receive our own from the Goddess of the Moon herself." she said deadly serious.

"Why should we help Rogues who attack and kill their own people?" Brian demanded before the woman turned and looked at him.

"The Rogues of the Wilds have harmed no Lycan. The Ferals on the other hand are a different matter." she replied coldly. "Will we be heard fairly, or shouldnwe just kill you as the locals do when they find us?" she demanded.

Emily placed her hand on Brians shoulder at the threat, to stop him from responding as she knew he would have. "Why should I consider the request of criminals who were exiled for their crimes?" Emily asked her seriously.

"If I am a criminal, you milady, are a whore." Came the young womans reply, and it was a well known fact any wolf could tell if a woman had ever been mated. Brian snarled at the implication, letting it be known she was perilously close to pissing the Guardian off.

Emily nodded at that, and decided she would give the woman the benefit of the doubt. "Well as it is more than apparent I am not, let us assume yiur statement is accurate. If you have not committed a crime, why are you stained by the mark of the Rogues?" Emily asked her as she heard growls erupt all around her.

"Ever what happens after you banish one of those criminals? Ever wonder if any of them survive long enough to bear a child?" she demanded of Brian.

"No, they get what justice demands!" Brian replied emphatic.

"WHAT CRIME DID THEIR OFFSPRING COMMIT TO BE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR BEING BORN?" the young woman roared at him before several howls filled the air in agreement. "You see, when a Rogue has a child, the child inherits their pack status. Wait a minute, Rogues are cursed by your Moon Goddess to live out their lives Packless and alone. What can a child inherit if the parents have no pack?"

Emily knew she had a point if she were speaking the truth.

"We cannot trust her Majesty, they are known to use any deception they can to get rid of this stain." Brian hissed at her.

"Careful Guardian, if we are to be condemned to death simply because we were born, than so to shall you be." she said as a single howl filled the air. It was the same summoning call an Alpha would use for danger, and it was a clear threat.

"Let us assume you speak the truth for a moment, what makes you think I have the ability to change it?" Emily asked.

"If I could prove it, would that mean anything?" she asked serious.

"How do you intend to accomplish that?" Brian asked sarcastically.

"I am sure you are familiar with the process one of your criminals goes through when they are stripped of their pack?" she asked him in reply.

Brian nodded. "Very familiar." he replied evenly. The woman stripped off her armor as she walked closer, and turned to show her smooth back.

"You will find no mark on me, or any of the wolves who are with us. I assure you that the Lycan process is the same." she said as she let them examine her.

Emily wasn't sure of the entire process, but knew a big part of it was the rogue was severely beaten, to the point scarring was guaranteed, and branded with an R chest and back before being thrown from the territory. Most did not survive the wounds as the whipnwas generally coated in wolfsbane to prevent their healong ability.

"What other proof do you offer, and again, what makes you thinknthere is anything I can do?" Emily asked her seriously.

"Very well, I shall give you more proof than you can handle. Follow me and quickly." she said before turning and quickly tunning into the trees following a path that looked like little more than a game trail.

Emily knew it would be pointless to argue, as it was clear if they refused they were dead. So for several miles they ran, right into a small village that Emily could tell would house and feed several hundred Lycans. She could also hear the screams of a woman in labor, and knew this was what she was brought here to witness.

They stood and watched for several minutes, as the mother gave birth to her first pup. The 3 of them could tell she was clearly rogue, and watched as the nurses cleaned the pup before passing her to her mother before the birth of her second.

As soon as the next contraction hit, the child was handed to Emily, and the first thing she knew was this child who was less than a minute old, was a Rogue. Ashley covered her mouth with her hand, and Emily could tell Brian was struggling with everyrhing he had ever been taught and believed. He could not reconcile a newborn pup that he saw, was already marked as a Rogue.

They watched as she had another, and was finally able to hand the infant back to one of the nurses that were tending to her. Emily walked away, with the woman who she had been discussing the issue with earlier.

"My name is Emily, and you habe yet to answer my question. What donyou believe I can do to help you?" she demanded.

"Josephine, and expect you to do? There is nothing you can do, your Wolf on the other hand can undo what she originally caused." she replied turning to look at Emily. "You got it, Selene did this, she can undo it. I am tired of my line paying for the mistakes of someone 28 generations ago. We demand justice from the Protector of Justice!" she said emphatically.

'There is only one thing that can be done, and it has to occur while the Goddess is here at Ahnkara. After that the decision is theirs.'Selene said to Emily privately.

"Very well, what do we do after that? What will you do when you can form your own pack?" Emily asked her curious.

Josephine laughed maliciously, and Emily knew it was not necessarily a good thing. "There is one request we would make of the two of you, however I am not sure you would grant it." Josephine said evading the question.

"Well Selene might not be able to do anything about afterwards, but perhaps I can. Would the Rogues of the Wilds consider becoming part of the Royal Pack should we succeed at Ahnkara?" Emily asked Josephine seriously.

Josephine stopped in her tracks and eyes went wide, she had only wanted to be allowed some territory in the Wolf and Human world. To leave this cursed forest behind, and hear she was offering them a place in the Royal Pack. "We would be honored Majesty, but how can you offer such a thing with your beliefs?"

Emily chuckled as she looked around at the Wolves who surrounded her. 'Can we correct the injustice without effecting true rogues?' Emily asked Selene.

'Yes, I will not spare the guilty from their fate. However neither should the innocent be damned for what their forebearers have done.' Selene replied.

"I can offer it because Justice is more important than perception. Make no mistake it will not be easy, you will be expected to be the tip of the Spear in a long, dangerous war. But any of those who have unjustly inherited the title of Rogue will be cleansed of it. Those among you who are true Rogues, justly sentenced for your crimes, or those with the blood of innocence upon their hands while Rogue, will not be cleansed. If this is acceptable to you, it is what I can and will offer." Emily said loudly to those who were around her.

Josephine nodded, knowing it was more than she could hope for. "That is more than acceptable Majesty. May we join you on your travels? We will of course avoid the villages by a wide margin." she asked.

"I was under the impression I was supposed to make the journey with those that began it with me." Emily said to a lot of laughter from those that could hear their conversation in the center of their village.

"If that were indeed true, I wonder what would have happened in the past when Selene lost entire parties between villages. No, the cowards of the villages will not make the journey for fear of attack by us." Josephine said laughing. "May we escort you through the dangers of these lands?"

Emily nodded, and 2 dozen Lycans approached in full gear. One carrying an extea pack. "Thank you, let us continue on our journey." she said as they all left the village.