CHAPTER 4: THE ENCOUNTER
1775 Words
The captain Zev and his guards were encircled by ominous creatures lurking in the shadows.
The atmosphere was dense and filled with ominous intent.
“Curse my intuition, the signal… howl right now!”
The howl of guard echoed true out the frozen caves.
“That's the signal. Everyone, hurry! The captain has discovered a threat.”
They all responded to the lieutenant's commands as they rushed to the scene, shape-shifting.
“ Curse these cowards, We're trapped, it's dark but my senses are still precise.”
“I can tell we're surrounded by hundreds. Hold on, there's more, the cumulative sounds of heartbeats, no, it can't be…”
The growls of his adversaries only grew louder, his eyes glowed with anger and dismay.
“Above and below the ice…there are thousands of them!”
“Captain zev! we heard the…”
The lieutenant was stuck in a static motion
As the stench of death went right through his nose, his confidence slowly turning into fear.
“My brothers of the Northern Guards, slay, trample on all foes, and defend the captain with your fangs and claws.”
A cacophony of growls filled the caves as clear and white grounds of the cave was tainted by fresh blood.
“Something feels off. There's a pulse that is oddly so calm in this situation.”
The captain is untouched amidst the chaos as he calmly traces the faint pulse, the sound of the battle fades as he walks closer to the unknown.
I can hear it, I know it's there if only they would just….
ENOUGH!
The roar of his word makes the battlefield stand still, suddenly striking a confusing silence.
“You're hiding in the shadows, I see you.
Come out now!.”
“Oh my, it seems I've been caught. Whatever shall I do now? Also, the show was getting really good.”
“I have to hand it to you, you are very observant. Hmph... Your reputation precedes you, Captain of the Northern Guards.”
“Who the hell are you?”
Zev clenches his fist in fury as he proceeds to confront the unknown figure.
“Wow, so kind of you to ask.”
“I am Channing Alpha of the Rogue Rebellion.”
“It's an honor to meet another Rikiwulf blood.”
“What in the world are you talking about?”
“Ohh you will know when it's time.”
“To all you wild dogs, is this how you treat noble visitors when I'm not around?...Shame on all of you.”
“Rest assured, Captain. I will ensure that my pack receives the appropriate consequences for their actions.”
“However, may I inquire about the reason for the presence of the esteemed Rikiwulf heir?”
“This shifter must be insane, how can he control these many werewolves?”
“Considering the size of this pack, what level of power is required for an individual to command the loyalty of its members as the Alpha?”
“I have to be smart with my next course of action.”
Zev's mind raced, trying to grasp the incomprehensible power that lurked behind his foe's facade.
“We tracked down a pack of bandit from the northern high path and they led us here”
“I'm amazed you must have a keen sense for the unseen.”
Channing remarked with a smile as he approached him. The cave was so silent that even the sounds of footsteps and breathing were clearly audible.
Channing's thick, midnight hair frames his sleepy, almond-shaped blue ocean eyes, a striking contrast that seems to draw you in.
“We are not leaving without those criminals.”
“Indeed, I am capable of making that arrangement on your behalf.
“What do you mean?”
“Allow me to assist you in locating them. It appears that your tracking has brought you to my territory, indicating that the individuals you are searching for are indeed part of my group.”
“Therefore, I am in the process of removing any undesirable members. “
“It is essential for me to ensure that my reputation remains untarnished by allowing a group of incompetent individuals to negatively impact it.”
“Do you have any belongings of the criminals you pursue?”
“Yes, we do, Lieutenant. Bring the cloth.”
“Yes sir.”
“ Here you go, have it”
Zev tossed the rag cloth over to Channing
The leader of the rogue rebellion.
“Trace those with these scents and bring them to me beast of ice and fangs.”
Listening to the eerie whispers of the wind, he stoops down to establish communication with a majestic creature donned in a coat of snow-white fur and icy claws.
The beast stormed out in an instant to search for the felons.
“What is that THING?”
Lieutenant dib screamed out in shock.
“Please don't please, please, don't I beg you ahhh!”
Suddenly the wails of the criminals were heard from a distance.
The ferocious beast dragged them across the icy grounds, as they begged for mercy.
“Just as I expected you're such a competent beast I can always rely on you”
“Channing grins maliciously as he pets the creature.”
“Now you have what you came here for. I suggest you make your leave.”
“Yes we will, thank you for your compliance, guards tie them up”
“Yes sir.”
“Huh, what do you mean, Captain? He's a criminal too and you're thanking him. He should be tied up as well.”
“What do you mean, I'm a criminal? That's absurd.”
“You can't make such claims when you have no evidence, Lieutenant.”
Channing responded with an air of innocence.
“Harboring a criminal is all the proof we need.”
Dib interjected with a stern voice.
“Harboring criminals? Please take a look around you.”
“I am surrounded by my brothers and sisters. How do you propose to hold me accountable for their actions when I am not present with them?”
“LIAR! … You are coming with us.”
“That's enough, lieutenant. We're leaving.”
Without hesitation, Zev cut in abruptly.
“Huh... Captain, what do you mean?”
“Let's Go guards.”
“But Captain, he's standing right here. Why are we leaving without tying him up?”
“That was an order, Lieutenant. I won't repeat myself again.”
“Run along, Lieutenant. You don't want to get demoted by your captain, do you?”
“I hope you choke on your spit and perish like a fish.”
ZEV and his guards head's towards the exit
He stops and looks back at Channing, the leader of the rogue rebellion.
“Once again I'm grateful for your compliance. It would be a shame to leave without a proper parting gift.”
“Oh, you don't need to. It's an honor to aid a Rikiwulf heir.”
“It's alright.. I insist!”
Zev replied, with a smirk.
Kill all of them, except the captain.
Channing whispers to his pack.
The moment they charged a powerful sonic wave of zev howling sent icicles on the canopy of the cave crashing down.
“Everyone dash for the exit.”
“Oh you sneaky piece of sh.. I expected nothing less from you.”
Channing enraged with his teeth grinding vigorously, his eyes blaring with hate.
“We would meet again, captain of the Northern guards”
“Is everyone accounted for?”
“Help, I'm stuck. The ice isn't budging.”
A guard fell behind , his leg crushed by the icicles of the cave.
“Hold on, I'm coming.”
The creature of ice emits a ferocious growl while swiftly advancing towards them, resulting in the trembling of the ground.
“I could have sworn that thing was buried in ice.”
Once I lift the ice you have to make a run for it.
“I don't think it's possible, sir. My leg is pretty badly damaged.”
ZEV was attacked and slashed by the creature while attempting to aid his comrade. Fortunately, the ice managed to collapse, forming a barrier between them.
****
Lady Rosemarie is sitting by Mrs. Magdalene and Tala on the manor's garden bench, gazing at the crescent moon.
“Is he always never back this late?”
“Ohh on some occasions yes, but don't worry he'll always come back.”
“I wasn't worried, I was just… concerned.”
“Lady rose I'm hungry,”
Tala wrapped little arms around Rosemarie's waist, resting her head on Rosie's Bosom with a gratified smile on her face.
“But you just had your dinner. Hmm, ok, I will see what we can get you in the pantry.”
“THANK YOU!”
She screamed with joy as Rosemarie pats her head.
“Please don't encourage her bad habits.”
A hint of disgust flickered across Mrs Magdalene’s face as she spoke.
****
High in the icy peaks, the Northern Guards struggled to regroup, their breath misting in the frigid air.
“Captain! Are you ok?”
“I'm fine; tend to the injured now.”
“That was a close one.”
“What was all that back there? Were you trying to get us killed? What do you think you would have gained by riling him up like that, dead bodies? Is that what you want?”
“I'm sorry, Captain.”
The grunts and moaning of the injured guards increased as they wailed in agony.
The wheezing coughs and the heavy breathing, within the paths of the snowy mountains.
“I would be lying if I said I don't understand where you're coming from, but as a lieutenant, you can't act rashly like that.”
“For every battle strategy you make, the lives of your comrades must be a priority.”
“Going up against them then and there would be pure suicide.”
“We were lucky to escape with our lives. Our injuries will heal, but first we need to get out of here.”
He staggered as he moved forward. Then, in an instant, a stream of blood gushed out of his back. As the blood continued to
rush, Zev's vision blurred and his world tilted.
The wave of dizziness washed over him, and with a final desperate gasp, he collapsed to the ground, his body going limp.
“Captain!, captain!”
His guards screamed out, as the harsh frosty wind blew.
- Writer
