I sat at the command post table and watched as the elves plead their case to the local militia. The elves were asking for the sanctuary as the wolves were overrunning their homes. The militia was more than happy to accommodate the elves. In their eyes it is always good to have the elves owe them a favor.

The captain of the guard approach us and asked us to investigate the wolves that are driving the elves from their homes. He knew we were adventures and probably on a quest and figured he could persuade us to investigate the matter for him. There were six of us, all seasoned warriors with two of us able to tap into divine powers and one able to tap in nature itself.

We decided to assist the Captain and investigate the forest. I have been traveling with this band of brothers from some time now and I think we all need a break from each other. My gut is telling me that even though they are happy to have my blade, my righteous beliefs are a bit much for them. They have no problem asking me to head first head long into combat, but seem to sneer anytime I give commands. I dismiss it as just anxiety, not knowing I would soon regret dismissing my gut so quickly.

We traveled throughout the day on our way to search for these wolves. The forest was eerily quiet. Nightfall arrived and we began to setup camp. As I removed my full plate armor an elderly old man appeared out of no where. He looked at as all and then his gazed locked with mine. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

“You all should not be here” he said in a whisper, “they are coming.”

 “Who are you?” Illthian our ranger asked.

Something was not right I concentrated on the man peering into his very soul. He was evil and ancient. I immediately took out my holy symbol and pointed at the man. “Back you vile creature of the night!” I withdrew my Sun-blade and begin twirling it in the air. My blessed blade begin to create sunlight radiated outward. The sun was bright as the high noon sun.

What happened next will forever haunt me for as long as I draw breath. The fighter Raithar withdrew a dagger a threw it at me knocking my holy symbol from my grasp. With amazing speed the old man was upon me and stopped me from twirling my blade. The light began to fade.

“When you live as long as I have even sunlight does not hurt” he snickered, “I am not your enemy on this day, you all need to hide because you are not prepared.”

I nodded at the old man, and in a flash he turned into a fine mist and the slowly disappeared. I walked over to where my holy symbol had landed and yelled “Raithar”.

Raithar turned and face me.

“Prepare to defend yourself” 

“Are we really going to battle over this?”

“You knocked my holy symbol out of my hand!”

“You were being disrespectful to that old man”

“You mean to that evil creature? Do you not understand how ignorant you are?” The howling of wolves could be heard in the distance, the sound of the pack was getting close. “I do no wish to strike and unarmed opponent, so I say again prepare to defend yourself.” 

 Raithar unsheathed dual long swords and attacked. His first blade hit my shoulder drawing blood. As if dancing with deadly grace his body twirled and he slashed my leg. With so much grace he slashed my other arm and leg. This fight appeared to be over before it began.

The power of my god flowed through me, I did not want to kill Raithar but surely he had to know what he did was unacceptable. The Sun-blade glowed and hummed striking true. So much blood splurted from Raithar and the look he gave me was unsettling.

Illthian yelled out “Stop fighting and hide.”

Raithar immediately scrambled up a tree to hide from the wolves.

I refused to hide. Four wolves jumped into our campsite. They spooked our horses and cause them to scatter.Three of the wolves were the largest I have ever seen. The fourth was a mix between a man and a wolf. It had the body of a wolf but stood up right like a man, it was the fable werewolf. Our gazes locked, and I knew then that I had a fight on my hand. The other wolves circle around me flanking and nipping at me. They were trying to provoke me.

I reach down and grabbed my shield. I regretted both the fact that I did not have my full armor on and that I was wounded from the battle with Raithar. The werewolf howled seem to be a command to attack me. From the right and left flank the two wolves nipped at me. Arrows hummed through the air as the wolf to the right of me cried out in pain. I bashed the wolf left of me with my shield as it yelped.

I charged the werewolf and ignored the others, I had faith in my comrades to handle the other wolves. I have seen many attacks in my day, from the finesse of a blade master to a sloppy throw of a patron thug. This werewolf attack was nothing short of perfection of an attack, if not for the gift of my god it would have taken my head off. The sun-blade glowed as I struck the beast fleshed. His wounds healed quickly.

The creature and I were locked in mortal combat. I had no idea what was going on around me, only the threat at hand. I saw fear in its eyes, though if faded to hatred and determination. Try as I might I could not seem to drop the beast. His wounds were healing to quickly and so I needed to change my tactics. I let the creature get closer to me, in an attempt to get a killing blow. The tips of his claws grazed my exposed flesh just as I slashed at its chest. He howled in pain and my sun-blade glowed brightly, my blessed blade was ready to magnify my attack.

Before I could make the final attack my body froze. Even to this day I am not sure what happened to me. Was it the battle with Raithar? Was it the wolf’s slash? Was it just plain fatigue?

My comrades dispatch all of the wolves including the werewolf. We burned their bodies and went to recover our horses. The Nobleman Draven was the first to retrieve his horse. Draven followed me around while on horseback saying “Did the brave knight lose his horse?” I glanced back at him and he mocked the fact that I was still searching for my horse. “What is a knight to do without his might warhorse?”

By the gods, I thought is it this forest night air? I stopped and faced Draven who was still mounted. He looked down upon me with a sly grin. Without saying a word I sucker punched his horse knocking it out. Both Draven and the horse came tumbling down. Draven jumped up quickly and withdrew his blade and placed the tip to my neck. He shouted “I will not stoop to your level!”

With a grin on my face  I replied “I am suppose to look up to you, not some childish nobleman.” I flicked the tip of his blade away from my neck and continued to search for my horse.

I saw Majestic in a clearing and I beckon him to come. Illthian arrived as well and started using his gift of nature to communicate with Majestic. My warhorse became hostile towards me grunting and bucking.  Majestic was a specially trained warhorse for combat and not something to be trifled with.

“Majestic come here” I commanded.

Illthian continued to talk with Majestic telling him that I knocked out Draven’s horse.

I had enough of this, “Majestic come here now” I let my god given aura flow, the same aura that has given courage to my comrades in past battles. Majestic came before me and bowed being completely submissive to me. I mounted my warhorse and rode him back to camp, I gave Illthian a mean glance and then soften it up with a sly smile. 

We never spoke of that night again. I believe we had all come to an understanding.