The Big Bad Wolf

When they arrived in the shop Umuriro was hammering on the anvil. Then her took the metal but stopped when they entered.

His face lit up in a huge smile and he gave them both hugs.

"I have two things for you," he said letting go of her and going over to a table. She couldn't see what was on it until he picked something up and held it up in front of her. He had to bend down to her level so that she could see it.

The necklace had a beautiful blue gem on the center, and was crafted with fine metals. The chain holding the gem looked as though it was made of a dozen small leaves.

"It's beautiful," she gasped in amazement at the details. Her entire life she never had nice things and never carried for them. Yet the fact that something so skillfully crafted would be hers to keep was surprising.

"It will change with you when you change. Always staying on you whatever form you take. It will allow you to channel your magic once you are understand how to use it." He handed it to her and she put it around her neck looking down at the large gem. Then he went back to the table and brought her a small sword.

"This weapon is small, but with some training it can be deadly. Use it wisely." He said handing it to her and turning to Caith.

"Here is a sword that's fitting for your size," he said handing him a blade that was concealed in a large leather scabbard. He pulled it out and weighed in in his hands. Then tied it to his hip.

"Thank you, your craftsmanship is exceptional." Caith said satisfied.

"And take this, in a hope that it will lessen the bloodshed." Umuriro said handing him a large shield. Caith nodded and hung it on the back of his backpack.

"Thank you Umuriro we are forever in your favor." Caith said and Umuriro gave him a hug.

"Please brother, be safe." He said and gave Sionna one last hug as well and the pair departed into the forest.

The Black Forest is known to enchanted and dangerous. Humans rarely entered the forest with such a thick canopy that light barely touched the ground. Fortunately neither Caith or Sionna were afraid of the dark. Even though they both looked like normal travels, aside from Caith's inhuman size and that Sionna was a little smaller than most humans. Someone who didn't know them, would have no idea that they are the things in the shadows. They are the monsters that people fear in the night.

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Ciall's sat on a black horse here eyes flaming with frustration.

"What do you mean no one saw anything? It's a giant wolf or a giant man. It's pretty hard to forget they must be covering for him." She yelled at a few of the payed mercenary soldiers making up the army.

"They don't remember, because he took their memories," said a confident small man with blond hair and yellow eyes.

He threw a stone to Ciall and she caught it and turned it over displaying the small inscription.

"Thank you Demarcus, this is all we need. He came through here, hopefully not that long ago. We will head out now." She commanded and everyone obeyed. The village people looked out their windows with fear and curiosity at the group of mercenaries in their small town.

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"They made it to the first village. They will catch up if we don't quicken the pace." Ciall said to Sionna opening his eyes. She hadn't even noticed the past mile or so he was walking with his eyes closed.

"How are we supposed to do that?" She asked him as he started taking off his shirt. Exposing his muscular chest that looks as if it was carved from ivory. He put the shirt in the backpack and then he began taking off his boots.

"You need to take both of the bags," he said placing his boots and then undoing his belt. Sionna immediately looked away until she felt his bones crack and grow as he turned into a wolf. She went up to him and grabbed the bag at his feet.

'Get on,' Caith commanded, yet Sionna was hesitant. Then she started to feel her legs working without her permission. They carried her over to him.

"I don't want to,' she said looking up at his large blue eyes.

'I wasn't asking,' he said nudging her with his head. Obediently she climbed on top of him, anger burned in her eyes. As she put one leg over him and sat, feeling his ribs on the inside of her legs.

'Don't be mad little one, it's just because you're too slow.' He said and took off, Sionna was a little startled by the instant speed. She grabbed on to his thick black fur and brought her body closer to his. Her heart racing as he raced through the tight trees going so fast that everything became a blur.

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Ciall and the mercenaries rode until darkness, then set up camp, before reaching the second village. Ciall was given her own tent And she currently sat on her bed with a crystal ball in her hand. She was deep in conversation with the keeper.

"I fear we are moving too slow, we might never catch him. I think he knows that we are tracking him and that's why he left the mountain." Ciall said to the orb in her hand.

"Then I will send something after him to slow his pace." Said a cold voice, "possibly some hell hounds will do the trick." Ciall smiled at the Keeper's words.

"Thank you, that will make things a lot easier for me to deliver him to you."

"And if the fox is still with him, I want her as well." The Keeper spoke in a clear tone, "let me know if there is anything else you need. I expect to have at least one more pet in the next few nights."

"Of course, I will not disappoint you." Ciall said seriously.

"I count on it." Said the voice before the shadow in the crystal ball disappeared.

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Sionna suddenly straighten up, they had been traveling through the forest for a while when suddenly she smelled a strange scent. It was like burnt flesh and something almost familiar.

'Can you smell that?' She asked him and Caith slowed his pace as a response.

'Yes, get your sword ready.' Caith said breaking back out into a sprint.

'What is it?'

'Hell hounds, the Keeper must have given them my scent from that stupid bloody knife.' Caith spoke in a way that made the hair on the back of Sionna's neck stand upright. Even though she couldn't hear his voice she could feel the anger burning inside him like it was her own.

'Don't worry, we can kill it.' She said calmly reaching for her sword. One hand still holding onto Caith's fur.

'There not just one, there's five.' He nearly yelled at her.

'And here I was thinking you are the big bad wolf. Do you really think a few mutts stand a chance against you?' Sionna said a smile playing on her lips.

'You have a death wish,' Caith replied as he stoped and turned around to face his opponents.