Hammered

Jaro didn't know regret or fear, he felt only anger at not being able to complete his mission. A thunderous boom that was echoed by the frightened whine of wolves suddenly filled the night air. A second booming crash and the pressure of bodies holding him down disappeared.

"Here we go!" Nix took a two-handed swing at an escaping Dire Wolf, launching him several feet in the air. Lightning crackled down the length of the hammer as he spun and slammed another one into a paste.

He switched the hammer to one hand, and a half-dozen flame strands caught two fleeing wolves, he yanked them backward and then batted them out of the air. Nix ruthlessly finished them off and spun around for more. A disappointed look on his face when he discovered that they had all gone.

Jaro climbed unsteadily to his feet. He stared at the armorless man, even in the night his yellow eyes glowed. "Thank you for helping me. I'm Jaro, from the Nescari settlement."